We have a VA healthcare system and IHS. Why aren't they touted as models of the benefit of a single payer model? They must provide services less expensively than private hospitals and be more efficient. They aren't. They are less efficient. Wait times are disgustingly in humane. But the Canadian system? Two words. Wait times. Especially for non emergent surgery. Why? Not enough providers or rationing. 

Insurance companies make profit and have higher reimbursement to hospitals & doctors than Medicare largely.. This incentives the best physicians to accept that plan. It also brings physicians from all over the world, Canada too, to practice in the US. We have the two best cancer centers in the world. People from all over the globe come to visit our specialists. Why? Our system is broken right? It doesn't insure everyone? It's called universal insurance. NOT universal care delivery when needed. Ask the VA.