Theoretically, no, Jules.

The people (and government) do not want to see a two-tier system evolve (where the more affluent can get better care) . . . but it is happening.

In my case, I can cross the border and pay out of pocket in Washington too . . . just like Americans can cross to ie. Latin America and get much cheaper surgeries if they pay cash.

Basically, it is illegal to set up a "private clinic" in Canada, and all hospitals are run by our government. However, there are ways around it, and there are private clinics out there that will do services for cash. The services they provide must be considered "non-essential" though, like plastic surgery, laser eye surgery, full body work-ups, etc. If a person wants a NON-emergency MRI, and they don't want to wait for a free one, they can pay a private clinic $500 - $800 to have one done the next day.

Of course, a lot depends on what our medical providers deem an emergency too . . . Even though the average wait is somewhere around 4 - 6 months, my doctor had both my daughter and I in (for non-emergency) MRIs within 6 weeks of the requisition.

If it is an emergency, then we jump the queue, of course. If there is a shortage (of nurses, doctors, testing equipment, specialty services, etc.), our government has been known to transport people to the US too.

Cherie