text: It might help an intelligent discussion of this controversial topic if patients were actually given the equivalent of a bill detailing the costs of procedures ( " free " public or private ). At present no such protocol exists and thereby any debate ends up in futile finger pointing and the usual politicised misinformation.
  
  I had occasion to have a complex procedure done in the USA at my private expense. I was given a full $$ accounting down to the smallest procedural detail, staff involved, drugs, ... band aids. I wished that we had an equivalent available in Canada to help inform patients of the true costs and related issues. Apologies - but color me totally unimpressed with the level of debate here. The G&M might want to pursue this item to clarify .....