Note this is in no way a defense of the US system, which is messed up six ways from Sunday.
And yes, there is. At least in comparison to the US system: "Universal" means everyone gets a basic level of care.
... Rations? There are no set limits, though they might not build another MRI machine if the existing ones aren't being used enough. It isn't like health insurance doesn't limit your care: They just tell you they won't cover x or y. And your denial of care will be different than what your neighbor gets in the US instead of everyone being treated nearly the same.
My drugs are covered in general. And when I purchase them, most are fairly cheap compared to the US.
Wait times definitely exist in the US as well, especially if you are waiting on a specialist, who likely isn't in your area unless you live in a big enough city. At least when I have wait times here, I get paid time off work if it is necessary.
Mental health is included.
Acupuncture isn't actual medicine.
Dental and vision aren't included here: Vision isn't generally too expensive (my partner and I both wear glasses) and dental has a discount. I think these should be included, though. Still better than dental insurance in the US - at least i can afford a dentist here. The dental is included in some systems (looking at you, Brazil).
In short, the complaints are the same in most places. Especially in the states.
That is simply untrue, the only thing reminiscent of "wait time" is the actual scheduling of an appointment - ie call the office and they pencil you in for next Thursday or something. Or if you actually walk into an ER with something trivial.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/10/30/medical-a...
That's not too bad. Until you start counting people who never get to a doctor because their insurance doesn't cover costs.
Now after I've seen that doctor once? Now I can make almost same day appointments and I have access to staff nurses for basic questions, etc. But yeah the wait for specialists can be long. It's usually not for generalist specialists. Like I saw a neurologist within a week, but the really specialized neurologist I got recommended out to was a 3 month wait.
That's an extremely dismissive take on a practice that has been around for an extremely long time.
"Alternative medicines", which itself is a dismissive name, get thrown out way to quickly in the west.
My argument wasn't that alternative medicines must be just as effective because they're old. My point was simply that hand waving anything that isn't western medicine is a very close minded view in a community that is so often pushing for equality and open mindedness above all else.