Canadians Staying Home Over Waitlist Fears

CALGARY, AB: Today, Canadian think-tank SecondStreet.org released new polling data about public opinions on the government-run healthcare system. The numbers continue to show interest in health reform and frustration with the public system – nearly half (47%) of Canadian patients are choosing to stay home instead of seek medical care over concerns about their ability to access health services without facing significant wait times.

“This data shows Canada’s health care system is in crisis, and Canadian patients know it,” said Harrison Fleming, Legislative and Policy Director at SecondStreet.org. “With nearly half of all Canadians staying home, instead of going to the doctor or hospital when they need help, even with record-high health care spending by provinces, it’s clear something isn’t working. It’s time to consider meaningful health reforms to rebuild confidence for Canadian patients.”

The poll was conducted for SecondStreet.org by Leger between October 25-27 among 1,520 respondents online. The full polling data can be found at SecondStreet.org but a snapshot of the data shows: 

• 73% of Canadians continue to support the idea of their provincial government copying a policy in the European Union (EU) that gives patients the right to be reimbursed for their surgical costs abroad;
• 61% of Canadians support keeping our government-run system, but allowing patients to pay at non-government health facilities (or use extended health insurance):
• 47% of Canadians actually avoid seeking the care they need because they don’t want to face overwhelming wait times; and
• 11% of Canadians have traveled to other provinces or outside the country to pay for treatment to avoid long and sometimes life-threatening wait times or unsatisfactory care from local government- run health facilities. Patients from all income brackets traveled for treatment (<$60k = 9%, $60-100k = 12%, $100k+ = 11%).

Avoid Using Health System Because They Won’t Receive Timely Care:

“While Canadian patients are staying home or choosing to access health services somewhere else, governments can rebuild confidence by looking at proven solutions that work,” added Colin Craig, President of SecondStreet.org. “There are many better-performing universal systems in Europe that put patients first and give them more choices. Provincial governments should be looking at their best practices.”

Full poll results can be found here.