Only in Canada could the Smith government’s new plan — which would give patients waiting too long for health care vouchers to access care elsewhere in the province including in private facilities — be called a path to “American-style” health care.

While opponents of reform seem to call every new policy proposal the “Americanization” of health care, in reality the government appears to be learning from European countries whose universal health-care systems regularly outperform our own.

ESMAIL, MOIR: Smith government’s health-care vouchers another step towards successful European model Back to video

Patients in EU have alternatives

Indeed, in the European Union, patients may choose a public or private health-care facility in another EU country, with their home country paying up to what the service would have cost if it took place at home. While the approach to this policy varies by country, the message is clear — patients waiting........

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