I'm glad to hear there are success stories, but public health care is no panacea, often creating extremely long waits for even critical medical procedures. Just this last summer, for example, the Supreme Court of Canada held that Quebec's mandatory public health care system violated the Quebec Charter of Rights because the system failed to grant patients access to health care in a timely manner.

In Ireland, my wife has a number of relatives in their 70s. I don't have statistics, but based on their experiences, long waits appear to be routine: six months for coronary- and prostate-related surgery, nine months for hip replacement.

Unfortunately, even medical care is subject to the laws of economics. If you reduce the cost, it tends to restrict supply and increase demand.

• Chaouli v. Quebec