CanadaView

Seedling
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4

There is a lot of mis-information in the US about the Canadian health care system. There was a lot about this in the film. The politicians stating that you can’t choose your own doctor, long wait times, no choices – it sounded like a nightmare.

In fact, you can choose any doctor you like. Like anywhere, the best doctors have thriving practices, and may have full practices. But the choice of a doctor is strictly between you and the doctor. The government doesn’t get involved.

For some elective surgeries, I have heard there are long wait times. I have never experienced this myself, or for my family, and I don’t know anyone who has, but I believe there must be cases of it, because I have seen them in the news. But I take the stories with a grain of salt. I have also heard news stories, for example, where PHds say they have to work at McDonalds during times of high unemployment, (we have low unemployment now). The media thrives on stories of hardship, and they usually turn out to be stories they have sought out for their news appeal rather than being representative of reality.

Whenever I have needed to see our doctor, they get me or my family in the same day if it is urgent, or within a few days if it’s not. Like any good relationship, they are very accomodating.

It’s interesting that although we have public health care for people, we don’t have it for our pets. If you take your dog to the vet in Canada, you are effectively seeing how the US system works. The wait times are about the same as they are in clinics or the hospital, but you certainly have to bring your wallet. I am so used to getting medical attention for nothing for myself and my family that it’s a real shock when I have to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for our pets when we go. Before work is done, fees are discussed. This, of course, never happens for people – only for pets. At those times I realize how lucky we are. We love our pets and when they need medical attention, we pay for whatever is needed. But the idea of being put in the same position for our family members is quite scary. As much as we love our pets, we do have a choice if we just don’t have the money – but for our families it would be different. When your loved one is sick, you have no choice. You have to pay whatever it takes – and use all the resources you may have – to try to make them better. It could easily ruin you financially.

A big part of illness is the stress associated with it. When someone is sick, they are already under stress. Their family is under stress too. Stress makes recovery more difficult. Perhaps the sick person realizes what a tremendous burden they are bringing to their family through their illness if it invoves a financial burden. Can this strain relationships? I imagine it can. Luckily there is none of this kind of stress in Canada. We don’t think about the finances. Whatever level of care the doctor thinks is necessary is available to us. I often think the doctors here err on the side of being too liberal with resources. I have never seen them refuse the kind of care a patient believes they need.

Recently I have unfortunately seen several good friends suffer with cancer. With one of them especially, I was closely involved with her medical treatment, going to the medical assements, knowing the treatment schedule, talking to the doctors, etc. I was really amazed at how good the care was. There were numerous MRI, CatScans, chemotherapy sessions, hospital visits, etc. etc. This went on for more than two years. Many specialists were involved. There was no waiting for any of the procedures at any time. In her case all (doctor approved) drugs were discounted by 80% – though this wouldn’t be true for everyone. Alternative medicines weren’t covered. Anyway, I was immensely thankful that she received the care she did. And it didn’t cost a penny.

In Canada, the environment has recently taken over as the most important issue to Canadians in the polls. Global warming has elevated the environment over what has traditionally been the most importan issue: health care. Although our politicians are fairly susceptable to the lobying of business people, and some politicians wish to privatize our health care system for the benefit of big business, Canadians will not tolerate it. Every election the message comes through loud and clear: HANDS OFF! is the messages to politicians about our health care – and so far the politicians haven’t risked it.