We have premiums each month to pay for our health insurance here in Canada. It's not totally free... i pay approx 120$ per month for health insurance. When i was burrned in the begining of may, I was hospitalized for almost a month and my insurance covered everything. Other than my monthly premiums, i paid nothing. I was in one of the best burn units in the world, and still i paid nothing extra.
Everyone HAS to pay premiums. Not having health insurance is NOT an option in Canada. Everyone is required to pay the premiums. There are programs set up for the low income people, where the government covers their premiums as well. Premiums are for the most part deducted off our pay cheques.
There is no perfect system, but I think ours is going to be about as good as it can get. Yes there are wait times; but emergencies are dealt with quickly. And yes we take free healthcare as a right in Canada.
Oh, and thanks for that little did LOM, nice story though!