I really encourage you to ask questions of Canadians who DO enjoy universal health care.
We have community health nurses here, and after birth you can choose to have them visit your home (there is NO pressure for this) and they come several times, if you want them to to support breast feeding, or your choice of feeding, to answer questions, to give support, lend an ear. With my first child the nurse came four times, for about an hour each time. She helped me figure out breast feeding, and when it wasn't working, gave me abreast pump! (it was one of the samples that companies had given her to show patients, she didn't have to give them to me...) I can't tell you how helpful that was for me to have her! Second child, the universal health care paid for my MIDWIFE (who I was allowed to choose myself, from several different midwife groups in my city) who had hour long appointments with me, sometimes coming to my home, and who came to my house every day after birth. Some of my friends - especially my homeschooling friends!- have had their babies in their homes. Their choice, government funded.
We have something called "early years centers" where there are great huge rooms full of toys and activities and fun programs all over the city, and in EVERY community and neighbourhood in Ontario. They have playgroups running all day, and free seminars on infant nutrition, breast feeding clinics, well baby check up clinics, parenting support groups, infant hearing, etc. etc. and living in an area where we are close to very very low income housing I see how these centers greatly benefit ME and my neighbors who are often very young moms with no support and little positive role models. I have never ever been 'told how to raise my child' from any of the wonderful caring supportive professionals who work at these places. My daughter LOVES the playgroup leader for the center I attend and there have been so many days I needed the encouragement of a friend. Many of my homeschool moms use these centers with their children and are NOT told 'what to do' or how to raise their child.
What this article describes sounds like many of the wonderful benefits I enjoy here in Canada. Please feel free to ask more questions.
