Some quotes that speak for theirselves, mostly from other forums:

I think you're missing the point. They have been shuttled down because of a lack of space in the Vancouver ward. (or Calgary has done the same thing) Not due to better care, not due to cost, or any other reason. The fact is that what did it cost them extra? $0. The system had an urgent need, and reacted in the best, fastest way to ensure proper care.

People with zero actual knowledge of the system keep throwing out this "waiting list" bs. Are there lists, of course. Is it for critical, life saving care? Absolutely not. You want a hip replacement because you are experiencing discomfort, there's the line. You broke your hip in a crash and need replacement, in you go. Organ transplants, look at the waiting list in the US for transplants. It's not due to a lack of ability, it's due to a lack of organs to transplant. Same goes.

You can always find enough data to support whatever stance you choose to take. People died waiting for some procedure in Canada, UK, France or wherever. People die in the US from no coverage, waiting in waiting rooms, or because of denial of insurance. Six of one half dozen of the other.

Universal health care is nowhere near free, and it is not the solution to all problems, but it is a different mindset than the US, that's all.
In a letter to the Wall Street Journal, Robert S. Bell, M.D., President and CEO of University Health Network, Toronto, said that Michael Moore's film Sicko "exaggerated the performance of the Canadian health system — there is no doubt that too many patients still stay in our emergency departments waiting for admission to scarce hospital beds." However, "Canadians spend about 55% of what Americans spend on health care and have longer life expectancy, and lower infant mortality rates. Many Americans have access to quality health care. All Canadians have access to similar care at a considerably lower cost." Canadians pay 9% of GDP to insure 100% of citizens, compared with 14% of GDP to insure 85% of Americans.
I work in the health care system in Canada, and I work next to a nurse who is a US expat. She has long experience in both systems, and she has no doubt whatsoever about which system she'd prefer to be under herself: the Canadian system, by a mile.

One of my jobs is to book MRI's, CT scans, and other tests for patients. There are protocols in place for scheduling these tests. A team of physicians reviews all requisitions and decides priorities. Someone who needs an MRI today gets it today, at no charge. Someone less urgent may wait a few weeks or months if they want it for free. Someone who needs it on a much less urgent basis can wait 3 to 6 months, roughly. In all instances there is no charge. And, as in the US, if you've got the money, you can buy the scan privately, or fly to some US institution if that is what you'd like.

I'm talking about how things work normally. In 6 years on the job, I've never experienced any case that hasn't worked that way.

One poster here remarked that he's never heard of someone coming to Canada for superior medical treatment, I would attribute that to the fact that relatively few Americans have an interest in knowing much about what's going on outside America in any area, medicine included. Fewer still care to hear about pursuits in which someone else performs better than America. They do not hear about this kind of thing in the US media. But FYI, Canada is a world leader in applied neuroscience (e.g. brain and nervous system injury and disease), and on the treatment of diabetes.

I have American friends who occasionally report symptoms that would have me at the doctor's office or emergency room immediately, but they put off the visit, waiting to see if it gets worse before they risk blowing the money for a visit! Frankly, that's unthinkable in Canada. Money is never, ever a factor.

In summary, I think the medical systems in both countries reflect the values of both countries. Health care, even the most complex surgeries and long-term in-patient care, is covered by taxes paid by all Canadians; some pull more than their equal share of the weight, and some pull less. The social safety net, the civil society, is more highly valued. In the US, it is the "American Dream" that is more highly valued - the opportunity for the advancement of the individual. Many are left out. The social safety net, the civil society, is less highly valued than the individual's pursuit of success.