Every Canadian citizen is covered by the Canadian health insurance system. In the United States, where there is no universal healthcare, it is estimated that up to 40 percent of Americans have no health insurance policy or inadequate healthcare access.

The Canadian healthcare system is often labeled as "socialized medicine" by Americans. However, socialized medicine is a system in which the healthcare providers work directly for the government. Doctors in Canada run private practices, as in the U.S., but unlike doctors in the U.S. Canadian doctors have to bill only one insurer, the provincial government. Hospitals are controlled by regional health authorities or are privately controlled. The correct term for the Canadian system would be a "single-payer system".

Although Americans may have heard that the wait times in Canada are interminably long. For most Canadians living in populated areas they are able to see their regular doctor within a day or so and there are urgent care clinics in many neighborhoods that offer round-the-clock care. For Canadians living in remote areas it is harder to see a doctor but the government pays for travel expenses for medical treatment if necessary. For specialized surgeries or treatment wait times are comparable to those in the United States, to which anyone who has had to wait for an appointment with a specialist can attest.

Another idea about the Canadian health insurance system is that patients cannot choose their own doctor. Canadians can choose their own doctor, often having more choice than Americans enrolled in a managed care plan that is limited to a list of doctors. Since doctors are paid the same for each patient even poor Canadians have access to top specialists. Any additional waiting times are the result of a lack of medical providers and not a direct result of the system itself.

Canadians are covered by a basic health plan and do have to pay for the extras. However a basic health insurance policy for a family is quite affordable and is usually paid by the employer. The basic plan covers s100-percent of doctor's visits, tests, hospital charges and ambulance fees. Canadians do have to pay for physical therapy, dental services, vision care, chiropractic care and prescription drugs. But drugs are quite reasonable and any expenses that are paid out-of-pocket are tax deductible. Private supplemental plans are available and so affordable that most employers offer them as a benefit.

The cost of care, per person, is less in Canada than in the U.S. In 2004, Canada spent $1893 per person on healthcare and the cost in the U.S. was $ 2,728 per person. Canada does have different system of healthcare than her southern neighbor.