Canadian Health Care Myths, US VS Canadian Health Care, Medical Tourism - AARP

Canadian Health Care Myths, US VS Canadian Health Care, Medical Tourism - AARP 
http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-03-2012/myths-canada-health-care.html#.T65XelUBjuE.email

The truth may surprise you

by: Aaron E. Carroll, M.D., M.S. | from: AARP | April 16, 2012

Health care systems differ, and there can be many myths about their pros and cons. — Photo by RK Studio/Kevin Lanthier/Getty Images

How does the U.S. health care system stack up against Canada's? You've probably heard allegedly true horror stories about the Canadian system — like 340-day waits for knee replacement surgery, for example.
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To separate fact from fiction, Aaron E. Carroll, M.D., the director of the Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research in Indianapolis, identified the top myths about the two health care systems.

Myth #1: Canadians are flocking to the United States to get medical care.
How many times have you heard that Canadians, frustrated by long wait times and rationing where they live, come to the United States for medical care? 
I don't deny that some well-off people might come to the United States for medical care. If I needed a heart or lung transplant, there's no place I'd rather have it done. But for the vast, vast majority of people, that's not happening.
The most comprehensive study I've seen on this topic — it employed three different methodologies, all with solid rationales behind them — was published in the peer-reviewed journal Health Affairs.
Read more...http://www.aarp.org/politics-society/government-elections/info-03-2012/myths-canada-health-care.html#.T65XelUBjuE.email