Our only experience so far moving to BC is that we were rear-ended and wanted to get checked out on the same day for neck/spine injuries. Since it was a Sunday and late in the day, there were no urgent care facilities we could go to. However we fortunately live across the street from a hospital and just went there. The wait was very short, and we were in and out in less than two hours. For those from the US, the shock is that there is absolutely no cost. They don’t take payment at all in fact, just your MSP card. The amount of paperwork is much less and they dispensed some Tylenol etc. for free too.
I think the US system is great IF you have a good job. And for many of you on this forum that’s probably true. The problems are:
- What if you get laid off?
- What if you retire, then you have to rely on Medicare, and the coverage isn’t as good and costs much higher
- How about your children who might not be able to find a high paying job, or want to have a different career or be independent?
- People who are uninsured then need emergency care more often