In today’s political arena we hear different opinions of socialized health care. Are there any Canadian Dopers that can share experiences good/bad/other to help enlighten your neighbors? I’ve heard horror stories about the awful services. There must be a balance or surely you would have revolted long ago.
Welcome to the Straight Dope, Rat. (Fast Times reference, perhaps?)
Questions asking people to “share their experiences” with something are best addressed to our forum In My Humble Opinion. I’ll move the thread there for you now.
I don’t use the health care system much, but my family has gone through some recent heavy health care needs (my mom recently died of bowel cancer and my youngest brother had a brain tumour removed some 6 years back).
All I can say is that, regardless of what you hear of horror stories to do with Canadian health care, we have a freaking great system here. My mom was incredible well taken care of by the various oncologists, surgeons, home care nurses, etc. that were accessed. In addition, there were countless resources that were available to her that she did not call on, although they were available.
When my brother was ill, the health care system bent over backwards to make sure that he was brought back to 100% even though common medical knowledge said he would at best make 75% (as a side note, he is as close to 100% as anyone could hope … damned if you could tell there ever was anything wrong except for when he cuts his hair short enough to show the 8 inch scar up the back of his neck and head)
Like Lazarus7, I rarely use the health care system, but whenever I have, it’s worked fine. If I get sick, I go to the doctor - I don’t have to worry whether I’ve got money in my pocket, or however that works in the States.
My father is fighting off cancer, and everything seems to be fine with the doctors and hospitals he’s used. When my wife had our daughter, everything went fine - nurses were very helpful, knowledgable and friendly, equipment all worked fine, no one gave birth in the hallway. Her main complaint was that the vegetarian meals she requested were bland and unimaginative.
I keep hearing these horror stories but I’ve not seen much evidence of them. I’m not saying they don’t exist; I’m just saying I haven’t seen them myself.
I had to have surgery to have a benign lump removed from my breast a few months back and I have nothing bad to say whatsoever. My surgery was done a month after the tests came back negative (is that a long time?) Furthermore my oncologist worked closely with a plastic surgeon to minimize scarring and if I had needed reconstruction Medicare would have covered that as well. I spoke to many women on the internet about my situation prior to surgery and I was shocked to discover that had I lived in the USA breast reconstruction would not have been covered even with really good insurance. Some women with severe congenital defects have spent years fighting their insurance companies for coverage.
Before this experience I was sort of against the Canadian system…maybe I still am in a way. But I breathe a sigh of relief to know that at the end of it all ,when I’m done healing, if I come out lopsided I won’t have to fight the system to get myself fixed up.
One of my boys had open heart surgery when he was 20 months old. The children’s hospital in Vancouver BC is the most wonderful place on earth.
We got bumped a few times. His surgery was slated to go on a Friday lets say…he got bumped twice…because of more life threatening operations…we didn’t mind too much.
We were staying in a nearby facility that allowed you to cook your own food and so on…it was kinda like a vacation for us…not for our boy mind you…but for us it wasn’t too bad.
People in Canada on waiting lists sometimes die while waiting, but that happens all over the world doesn’t it?
All in all, the health care system up here is fan-fucking-tastic.
I pay 36.00 a month for coverage for my family of 5. Quite the deal.
Ok, I tried to post a reply to this twice last night and once this morning, and wound up having the computer crash before I could submit every time. Fourth time is a charm, I hope.
I am very much in favour of our health care system. 11 years ago, I was 18, broke, and found myself pregnant. My boyfriend (later husband) was making minimum wage. If we had been in the US, I’m sure that we wouldn’t have had insurance. I recieved excellent pregnancy care. I didn’t have to worry about how to pay for tests, doctors visits or hospital stay when I delivered. All I needed was my Alberta Health Care number. I may have been broke, but at least my health or the health of my child was never compromised. I could choose any doctor I wanted to. Go to the doctor as often as needed. I usually had great medical staff, and never experienced a lengthy delay.
Also, in Alberta, when you deliver a baby, you get a home visit from the health nurse. She will check for things like adequate weight gain, postpartum depression, child abuse, or anything that might put a baby at risk. If you live in a remote area, she’ll even come out to do the vaccinations.
I am a little biassed towards our system. I believe that one sign of a civilized country is taking care of the health of all of its citizens, regardless of income. My health, or the health of my children does not have to be sacrificed when things are financially bad. I have also seen horror stories, but they usually centre around people in the US that can’t afford health care. People who die while waiting for paperwork to go through. Medical bills so high that someone can’t see over them.
I have to admit that in the field I’m going into, a lot of peope take jobs for more money in the US. The health care system here is one of the things that will keep me here. I would like to stay and contribute to the system that took care of me when times were bad.
My littlest brother had a brain tumour removed there and I can agree with you 500% … that place in incredible. Beyond their simple care of the children, they truly understood that caring for children is more than just break-fix. I have nothing but the greatest admiration and support for the staff of that place. They are all a treasure beyond value.