It's always amusing to hear single-payer advocates defend the Canadian health care system's long waits for surgery by cherry-picking the data, ignoring the long waits to see specialists just to get a diagnosis - and intentionally confusing the meaning of the term "elective surgery":
Canada has no abnormal waiting times for emergency treatment, and some evidence shows Canadians get it quicker. The problems come in elective treatments, like joint replacements. - Ezra Klein Feb 27, 2006
Mr. Klein would have you believe that serious, life-threatening conditions are treated quickly. But that would not be the case:
Joe MacPherson has been waiting almost eight months for heart surgery in Halifax and still doesn't have a date scheduled.
[...]
He has been unable to work as a painter since having his first angina attack last August. Tests in September showed blockages in three arteries and he was soon put on a list for surgery.
He's exhausted employment insurance and finds the wait stressful "You put your life on hold," Mr. MacPherson said. "When you're diagnosed with angina, it's nothing to kid with."
Move along folks - no waiting for surgery here.
10 May 2007 @ 7:31am