Also, we've been linked to at the Health Care Blog if you wouldn't mind following us over that way, again, I would be so appreciative.
And Canadians, if you'd like to weigh in, please do. One of the go-to arguments against universal care is the horror stories of year long (and longer) waits for doctor's visits and treatments. Stories about all the Canadians that migrate to America in search of our glorious healthcare. I know your system is not perfect and there are waits involved at times, but I do know that it is better than what we are experiencing here. It is helpful to hear that those of you with healthcare for all prefer it to the what is available to us in the States. That even with its flaws, you'd choose it again if given the opportunity.
This whole thing is kind of mind boggling, but if there is one thing I've learned this week, it is "Do not underestimate the power of the Blogosphere." Especially our little corner of it. I've never know so many supportive and amazing women. Thank you, thank you, for helping us out.
And hey for those of you who just check in for the cute kids...LOOK! CUTE KIDS! (I don't know what's up with BubTar's face, but I think it is a condition that comes with being 5.)
Bear with us, there might be more of this healthcare speak on the way...but it is so important and we're riding this wave as long as we can, not just for the little 'Tars, but for all the children that need these changes just as much as we do.
17 comments:
You know, the waits here in Canada can be long but, in my experience, when you really *need* care, you get it quickly. Everyone deserves accessible healthcare. It's a basic human right.
To be honest, I don't know anyone who hs faced long waits here except for early childhood services that require diagnostic assessments - there is not enough funding for that. But health care for health problems that need looking after? yes. I've never had a problem, nor have my friends or family. I will try to get over to those sites in the next day or two to add my voice. Because I've lived in both, and way prefer what I have here.
From what I've seen, statistics show that wait times in Canada can be long, but outcomes are as good or better than elsewhere - that is to say, Janet and Kittenpie are right: essential care is being given in time.
As much as Canadians may complain at times, the fact is that if a politician wants to be hastily and resoundingly defeated, all he has to do is suggested meddling with our universal health care system. We love our health care up here.
ugh! yes and amen. I am with you all the way - and to all blog sites, apparently! I know face the unenviable task of finding a OT specialist who will take our S-Chip insurance here in wealthy CT, because LP was denied services by the school system (because he does so well at school! Hurray! It's just home and everywhere else in the world that creates more sensory input then he can take.) Sigh.
Good discussion...
This is an issue that is not going to go away until something is done. I've been reading your stuff from the last few days and so has my wife. Frankly we're quite pissed off that we live in such a great country and yet (as Janet put it) our basic needs are still not getting taken care of.
It all comes down to greed. The jokers on Capitol Hill are getting their pockets lined with dollars from pharmaceutical companies and the AMA so that the rick keep getting richer and the middle class keeps getting poorer.
you just keep talking, sister. this is how we make things change.
This road is one I have traveled for a different reason but the panic was the same. Not only can you lose your insurance at any moment but you can reach the lifetime limit of your policy pretty easily too. If we do nothing else in this country we need to figure out how to give quality healthcare to all but especially to the children. Every voice needs to be heard on this issue.
jen's right, you just keep talking about Kyla! I should probably be talking about it too...even with insurance, having a child with healthcare problems has forced our hand at some mighty big decisions, like selling our home, cashing in our retirement (and we're not yet 40!) etc. It sucks for everyone in every circumstance!
Kyla, my little activist, I am so very, very proud of you.
And yes, NO ONE messes with Canadian health care. We take it dead seriously up here to the point where a couple of years ago we voted Tommy Douglas (the founder of universal health care) as our greatest Canadian ever. True.
I don't know who these people in the US are who've never had to wait for healthcare.
Maybe they are just thinking of internists?
Any time I've had to see a specialist it's easily a two month wait.
I mean, my internist said I had a TUMOR and it was a two month wait!
I can't imagine never having a bit of criticism about health care...it's like the weather, you know? Always up for an opinion.
But that doesn't mean the system is an utter failure.
My sister thought Canadian health care was excellent. She preferred her own soap and shampoo in the hospital anyway.
American health care has its problems too and it's not just about accessibility to insurance for the uninsured.
I'm glad your story is getting out and hope it brings some good results!
I love BubTar's rock star face--it's too hilarious.
We might pay close to $800 A MONTH for health care for us, but I have to say that we have never had to wait long. We've had amazing turnaround with all kids of specialists for the kids, and even the school system has responded quickly. Maybe it's the area we live in, I don't know, but the quick service my kids have received is the one bright spot in all this horror.
I'm listening honey
The support one can find on the blogosphere is indeed amazing! God bless you on your quest.
I'm so glad you are writing about this and that these sites are getting the deserved traffic.
I'm Canadian. And I had so much to say, I gave it its own post:
http://rti.serveblog.net/wordpress/index.php/2008/02/17/convergence-or-why-i-thank-my-lucky-stars-every-day-for-tommy-douglas/
I can't speak from a childhood care perspective, but I seem to remember that stuff got done, and fairly quickly.
KYLA! I called my (socialist) doctor this morning at 9am and I had an appointment at 11:40. The system here might have its problems but it's a funding and priority thing: surely that's easier to fix than a system that is built on profit and actually denying people care in order to ensure that shareholders get money? Our system is only about getting sick people well. No matter what it 'costs' -- and, incidentlly, it costs a lot less than your system.
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