[charlene]

The 'haves' and 'have-nots'...and ne'er the twain shall meet it seems.

I imagine that part of why our system works (even with its flaws) is that the mindset to help each other as a society goes way back and it's just a part of the way things are. The Canadian system seems to be polar opposite to the American system not just in 'how' health care is delivered but in the 'why' it's delivered (or NOT delivered) the way it is. In large part I think the the health of a country is reflected in the health of it's people.
The assurance that we can get medical care is a huge part of the way Canadian society functions I think. There are problems no doubt - it's a huge system across the country encompassing large cities and small remote towns. But for the most part we know that through our taxes (our health care is NOT free) we will receive medical care for those people in our society who are most at risk - the sick amongst us. If healthcare aid is not available for those most at risk (healthwise) in our society what does that say about us as a civilization?
It makes my blood run cold just thinking about a young person breaking an arm, needing surgery and being in debt for 13,000.00 dollars. This is when he is just setting out for post secondary education and it's debts, purchase of a car possibly, maybe having to rent a room, have living expenses - all while trying to better himself with an education and start contributing to society and his country. Not all who find themselves in debt for medical care are blessed to have a "Helping Hearts" group come along and help pay a medical debt.
If U.S. taxpayer money can provide Cadillac healthcare for special interest groups then why can't it help the citizens who live there and pay those taxes?
I don't know the answer to the American health care issues but I do know that despite many other things that keep me awake at night I am not kept awake with worry over medical bills for services I (and my family) have used over the last several years.