Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams will be sidelined from three to 12 weeks because of heart surgery he'll undergo at an undisclosed location in the United States, acting premier Kathy Dunderdale says
Now why would he be coming here?
I though the Canadian system was better than the US........
On Twitter I am Lesabre1
I commented on the GOC on that subject. In Canada, we get on a waiting list. It doesn't matter who you are, and how much money you have. Everybody is equal. It could be the reason. Apart from that, it's very possible that care varies from province to province. If he had to come to Toronto, he still would have to wait. I have a very good cardiologist but, 5 years ago, I waited 7 LONG months for heart surgery after I was diagnosed. Last year, I waited 8 months for an angioplasty which I very much needed. If I had had the money, both times, I would have gone to Houston, Texas. As a nurse, I worked with Dr.DeBakey, in the 60s. And I knew that things were much better in USA than in Canada. In those days, technology and hospitals were ten years ahead Canada. Today it's probably 20 years ahead. You also get excellent doctors for those two reasons.
ReplyDeleteIt's also a question of class and prestige. People with money go to USA for medical problems. They also winterize in Florida. Maybe it's a bit snobbish. But why not? If you can afford the best...
Claudia - You're right. The issue isn't expertise, but availability.
ReplyDeletekdog - Sorry. Somehow I deleted your comment, or else this softwaare goofed up. I'll blame the software.
ReplyDeleteYour point was that the rich are different. I agree. Money fixes lots of problems. But if I had to argue with either an insurance company or the government, I'd take the insurance company. Simply because I could use the government to beat on the insurance comnpany and might win. But I wouldn't have a chance with the government unless I knew someone's brother who had a cousin who worked in the Death Panel Bureau.
;-)
That's why I am surprised that the Premier had to come to the US. Politicians are always "taken care of."
All that said, I still say that the only rational change to the system is to a single payer system modeled on Medicare. The only question is cost and who pays. I say we all pay through a national sales tax and that drives the average TL poster up the wall.
Don't ever think that we don't pay for the services in Canada. Many of them aren't entirely covered. If you don't have a bit of money, you're left without. Unless you're on welfare, or you're a 3-month-immigrant. Everything is free for them. Also middle class income tax has risen to cover some of the costs. My single son would tell you that he probably pays for all babies born in Canada. And also, (alas!) for the abortions for which he would never agree.
ReplyDeleteWhen one of us goes to USA for care, that person has to pay from his/her own pocket. Even if Canada cannot provide the care. There is no provision for such a case.
Of course, we're entitled to take private insurances. The cost is prohibitive. Probably because there are so few clients.
No worries Jim, I've written better anyway:)
ReplyDeleteI too am very surprised the Premier didn't just cut the line...what kind of socialist party they running up there where a party member can't cut the line? Even our money-talks capitalist party members have it down pat:)
I tend to agree about banging heads with the insurance co. being preferably to banging heads with the government...neither is a prize, but the insurance company has no authority over you...and no arrest powers. And when they totally sh*t on you you can cancel your policy and stop paying them at least...try that with the government they send men with guns.
-kdog