> I've also read a lot of stories from people in Canada and the UK saying that it's almost impossible to get same day medical care, even from a general practici

> I've also read a lot of stories from people in Canada and the UK saying that it's almost impossible to get same day medical care, even from a general practicioner. Like, they'll have to call as soon as they open, and hope they aren't already booked for the day. It highly depends on the situation. If you're trying to see your family doctor for something routine or non-urgent, yes, it can take a few weeks to get an appointment, as they tend to be booked up. If you have a non-critical issue that needs to be taken care of sooner (eg, an ear infection), many practices run an "urgent care" or "after hours" clinic, and there are also dedicated offices (often co-located with a pharmacy) that do the same. I'm not sure how exactly these work, but they don't cost anything, and you can generally get in within minutes to hours, depending on your situation and how busy they are. If you are in need of emergency care, you go to the ER (and/or call an ambulance), and get triaged. If you are having a heart attack, for example, you will get treatment immediately, but for lesser problems you can sometimes wait several hours. This is also the one case where the system can actually cost you money of-out-pocket, because if you're waiting that long you'll probably want to buy something to eat.