From a Canadian reader via email:
I live in a country amongst people who are very much like you.
As far as healthcare goes...I never take my wallet when I go to my doctor (whom I chose & when I chose to have a different one...no problem), nor to the hospital, nor to the walk-in clinic.
There is no 'middle man'...I cannot even fathom having someone in a corporation somewhere having 'any say' as to my personal healthcare!In my 58 years, I have had numerous procedures, tests, surgeries, physicals & even treatment for lymphoma. I have never experienced an unreasonable wait time, I have always had the best of care, by doctors & nurses, in the best & most up to date hospitals. When I was diagnosed with lymphoma just two years ago, I had consultations, tests and therapy all within two months of said diagnosis...yes, all done within two months...and luckily clear to this day.
My experience is not unusual...it is the norm here.
Tell me about the stories you hear...use your head...anyone anywhere can come up with exceptions to any rule...we're dealing with humans...never will there be perfection...there will always be some dissatisfied people.
But the distance between what I have available to me here & what you put up with is extreme...and even now you are being denied the option of even talking about a system that has been working here for generations.
Tommy Douglas was the founder of our healthcare system...he, of course, met with great opposition when he put his ideas forward decades ago.
Well, Tommy Douglas, in this decade, has been declared the 'Greatest Canadian' by the people of Canada. Yes, he beat out Wayne Gretzky, Terry Fox, Pierre Trudeau & Alexander Graham Bell!
The main reason...his introduction of our healthcare system.
I write all of this because I am so sad that one of the great countries doesn't have what is so within their power to institute & that is to look after their own people for their most basic needs...I fear that it will never happen.
Thanks for 'listening'...
Lynda (Lsamsa)
Yep. Sounds like she can't wait to bolt over the border -- you know, because America has the Best Healthcare System in the World.