someone in my family has been in the hospital almost 4 weeks, luckily we are in canada on that part, however he has no drug plan so I don't know how he is going to manage the medications after which are probably going to be sky high
people have this misconception that health care in Canada is free, its not, we pay a shitload of taxes in this country and if you make a certain amount of income over I beleive $75,000 or $100,000 plus they add a health care levy that is in the several 1000's
Good part is yes, if you are hospitalized you are covered but the wait times for operations runs into months and years in some cases which is why those that can afford it go to other countries like the US etc and pay for it upfront
Actually, looking at the difference between my dad (who works in the US), and myself (I work in Canada), I think Canadians for the time being get a better deal. Sure, our salaries here aren't as high as in the US, especially in IT when you compare with NYC, and JC salaries with Toronto salaries. But for living in Toronto I make a pretty good living, don't have to worry about dealing with shitty insurance companies who aren't willing to cover me because of pre-existing conditions or flat out refuse to cover me in case of an emergency, and my dental and drugs are paid by group insurance my work provides.
I actually just calculated what I'd make in PA vs what I make in Ontario, and I end up paying $500/yr more than I would if I made the same amount of money in PA as I do in ON.
And about wait times. I'd rather wait and know I'll be treated than go bankrupt after being treated immediately. For the most part the only time you have to wait a long time for a procedure, is if its elective. If its life-threatening, the wait times are not at all horrendous.