scoundrel,
Quote:
Originally Posted by scoundrel
Reverting to AmateurEmale's side question on Health Canada, I have read that Mrs Palin's family used to go to neighbouring Yukon in Canada and benefit from the Canadian health system rather than pay for treatment in free-enterprise Alaska. But people often tell lies and half-truthes, and it would surprise me if Canada is not wise to American healthcare tourism and doesn't have mechanisms to stop US citizens from poncing on the Canadian tax payer. More likely than not, the Palin family had to pay for their care in Canada and went there for legitimate and practical reasons, e.g. physical road and rail and sea communications being so poor in Alaska that you have to go to the easiest hospital to reach regardless of which country it is located in.
But I am curious to know exactly what Canada does in order to protect herself from US citizens wanting free healthcare to which they are not entitled?
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Hadn't heard about the Palin's doing that but I guess its not surprising. From what I hear the costs in Canada are significantly lower than they are in the US.
I can't imagine there is a real big population of Americans going to Canada for health care unless you live fairly close to the border. Buffalo, NY and Detroit, MI are probably the biggest cities near the border so, if there is a problem, thats where it would be most evident.
Most of the rest of the border is wilderness or small towns so I'm not sure how it works there.
There used to be a major market a few years ago for pharmaceuticals though. Most were made in the US but those which were shipped to Canada had price controls so there was a huge market in Canadian pharmacies selling those drugs to US citizens at huge discounts. Most all of this was through the mail.
Not sure if its still going on though. I think it may now be illegal but others may know better.