The $25,000 Hip Replacement: What Canadian Healthcare Looks Like From the Inside

Speak Up For Your Health · Jun 16, 2026 · 29m

What does universal healthcare actually look like when you need it most? James Yersh lives in Ottawa, Canada — covered by the national health system his entire life. But when hip arthritis progressed to the point where he needed a total hip replacement, he found himself waiting for so long that he paid $25,000 out of pocket for surgery in another province.

In this episode, James shares what it took to navigate Canada's public healthcare system. And since he has spent most of his career working alongside US companies and colleagues navigating employer-sponsored insurance — he has a unique…