text: Interesting points, and I appreciate the stats on medical tourism in and out of the States.
  
  I get the feeling we wouldn’t always have the same view on policy (and this is more than OK, I like respectful debate), but I tend to agree with the guaranteed income model.  It would greatly streamline the patchwork of available benefits to the poor, resulting in savings for the government, and guarantee a minimum standard of living which would be of benefit to all.
  
  Not sure Canada is ready for such a model, but if we are going to have a social safety net, this sounds like the most efficient and effective approach.