I have experienced the Canadian health care system from its inception. Went from no coverage of any kind, to what exists now.
Have also had a lifetime of experience with the Canadian tax system.
There is lots of opinion, information and misinformation being posted here about both.
50% income tax rate? Gimme a break.
I have heard that actual per capita health care expenditures are actually higher in the US than in Canadaicon. Is the money being well spent? Value received?
Both my wife and I have gone through significant life threatening illnesses. Treatment was efficient and effective. No appropriate treatment was witheld or delayed.
Canadians also have the option of buying services. My son didn't want to wait for imaging - was going to be a few weeks - paid $500, had it done in a couple of days. His doctor offered him the choice.
My wife with did doctor's billings for a regional hospital. Yes, the different provincial plans are honoured. But the payout rates are different, but not all provinces pay claims promptly, or for the full amount. One large province east of Ontario was very bad in this regard. There is also variation in what is covered. Very expensive costs like air ambulance may not be covered by a provincial plan. It is common for Canadians to have secondary health coverage through a private insurer (employment related or privately purchased) to cover things the provincial plans do not.
The colonoscopy story is interesting. When my Dad lived in the US, he observed that as soon as a doctor learned that a health plan covered extensive diagnostics, every test under the sun would be ordered, usually through a clinic or lab. in which the doctor had a business interest. I have never heard of doctor in Canada not ordering tests like colonoscopy when appropriate.