One million Canadians waited for medical treatment in 2017, costing $1.9 billion in lost wages – IOTW Report

One million Canadians waited for medical treatment in 2017, costing $1.9 billion in lost wages

CFP: VANCOUVER—Long waits for surgery and medical treatment cost Canadians $1.9 billion in lost wages last year, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

And for the first time, the estimated number of Canadians who waited for medically necessary treatment exceeded one million in 2017.

“Canadians are waiting longer than ever for health care, and in addition to increased pain and suffering—and potentially worse medical outcomes—these long waits also cost Canadians time at work and with family and friends,” said Bacchus Barua, associate director of health policy studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of The Private Cost of Public Queues for Medically Necessary Care, 2018.

The study finds that the estimated 1,040,791 patients who waited for medically necessary treatment last year each lost $1,822 (on average) due to work time lost. more here

10 Comments on One million Canadians waited for medical treatment in 2017, costing $1.9 billion in lost wages

  1. I’ve told this story here before.

    I had back surgery in 2007, L4L5 disk, a John Hopkins trained surgeon who had just moved from Toronto to Flyover did the surgery. I saw him on Wednesday for first consultation, MRI Friday, surgery the following Tuesday, home on Wednesday afternoon. I started working the following Monday in a limited capacity.

    He told me at the follow up that this was the reason he left Canada. He said it would have been 6 months to get a MRI and another 6 months to have surgery. He said I would have been unable to work for the entire year and there would have been so much nerve damage that I would have had zero control of my crap and pee for the rest of my life and I would have worn a diaper. I also would have had a serious addiction to the pain meds. He told me he was glad to finally be able to help people with his surgical skill.

    I was 39 at the time and am grateful to God for that surgeon.

    14
  2. I have visited Vancouver and Victoria many times. I’m glad I got it out of my system. The American Border patrol treats American’s far worse, when returning from Canada, than the border patrol along the Mexican border.

    3
  3. Wait. What? I thought Canada’s health care was free! Fun to yuck it up and verbally spar with Cannuck pals, especially when debating current events. Their taxes eat up 65% of their pay checks, at least 30% goes to pay for free shit. They all know folks who come to the states and pay out of pocket for surgeries.

    1
  4. Most Canadian Doctors own Health Insurance Policies that cover treatment in the USA. You can buy this in Canada. At least you are not stuck with Canuk Care.

    1

Comments are closed.