Thoughts from a Canadian on the Canadian Socialized Medical System

Source: Howe Street A subscriber and friend, Laurence Hunt, who lives in Canada, as do I, made some comments to the effect that the Canadian socialized medical system is better than a free market medical system.

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This is a very prevalent attitude in Canada. Here was the main thrust of his argument: “The Canadian system delivers world class healthcare at half the cost due to disintermediation. The system is run like infrastructure, like the highways, and is more economical. I’m still an advocate of government running infrastructure, as there has to be a method of collective participation. I do think that without government, the bullies would be in charge (they are hard to restrain under any system). Nothing is perfect, including freedom.” The following is my response:

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