here. It's not about who does it, it's about who pays for it. If in fact something is not available here, then the person can go elsewhere and get it and the state will pay for it. However, it's not an open season... if it is available here, is not a life-threatening condition, but requires waiting a bit, we make 'em (us) wait a bit, as a means of cost control.
It's not like you guys don't practice rationing. It's just that the rationing decisions are made by bureaucrats (bureaucrats who work for private industry to be sure, but bureaucrats nonetheless) based on the fatness of your wallet rather than the seriousness of your condition.
As for why he went to the US rather than say Toronto, if it turns out that the cost of it all (travel, lodging etc) for him to go to (say) Boston ends up cheaper than going to the T-dot, then they'll send him to Boston.
Not a big deal. Only one for ideologues like the assclowns at the NP, who are on the verge of all losing their jobs anyway as that paper is bleeding money because people have realised that it sucks.