Private Health Care Is Here. (cover story)

The article discusses the increasing trend of Canadians paying for medical services out of pocket due to strain on the public health system. Canadians are seeking private options for services like MRIs, surgeries, and consultations with nurse practitioners. This shift is driven by limited access to timely care in the public system, but there is debate over whether private healthcare exacerbates inequities and increases costs. The article highlights the historical development of Canada's healthcare system and the challenges it faces. The text also includes personal accounts of individuals who have paid for private healthcare services and the struggles faced by caregivers in Canada. Additionally, it discusses the concept of social prescribing and the financial strain on family caregivers. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Maclean's is the property of St. Joseph Communications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)