Aa
Universal Healtcare is a must.
I have always, even before discovering that I had MS, wondered why we in the US do not have universal health care. Why are some people excluded?
I am knowledgeable of how business and politics works in our country. But, it is time we rise above the corporate shackles and fear mongering associated with it.
I know there are many who frequent the forums with diverse political ideas. This aside I would ask others to send emails, write letters to congressmen, letters to the editor on the need for universal health care.
There are way too many stories on these boards of folks not receiving the proper healthcare. I know if I were to be without insurance for a couple of months I would be financially sunk. The likelihood of such a thing happening in this current economy is quite a good possibility.
Universal healthcare works in Canada, England, France, and other places. There are mountains to climb in the US in starting this endeavor for our country. But, it is wholly unforgivable to allow our current system to continue.
I am knowledgeable of how business and politics works in our country. But, it is time we rise above the corporate shackles and fear mongering associated with it.
I know there are many who frequent the forums with diverse political ideas. This aside I would ask others to send emails, write letters to congressmen, letters to the editor on the need for universal health care.
There are way too many stories on these boards of folks not receiving the proper healthcare. I know if I were to be without insurance for a couple of months I would be financially sunk. The likelihood of such a thing happening in this current economy is quite a good possibility.
Universal healthcare works in Canada, England, France, and other places. There are mountains to climb in the US in starting this endeavor for our country. But, it is wholly unforgivable to allow our current system to continue.
Just imagine if you had to pay the bill for all those specialists? And they still did not agree. Many cannot see all those specialist for monetary reasons.
My concern with universal healthcare is the long waits... I have seen 5 specialist 9 visits between them. 4 mri, emg, thousand of dollars of blood work and I have a hopkins appointments. All within 8 weeks.
The thing I have learned the most....you can have all the access to healthcare and still not have a DX. Not one of these guys agrees with each other.
Rebeccah
The thing I have learned the most....you can have all the access to healthcare and still not have a DX. Not one of these guys agrees with each other.
Rebeccah
A different perspective:
Health care is such a big issue, everywhere....
Living in Philippines, there are government hospitals where people with no money can get free consultation and limited treatment. But waits are very long, and they prioritize treatment so that only those with the most chance of getting well are treated. In many cases by the time people get to the hospital with conditions, even relatively simple ones like diabetes, it is too late.
For employed people there is a Social Security System that reimburses medical costs, or in some cases pays for treatment outright. My driver's wife had appendicitis. She was treated and recovered and he didn't have to pay very much.. My helper had to have an emergency cesarian when she had her baby: I paid on her behalf - but we got nearly all of it back.
If you have money here, then you can see a good doctor fairly easily and cheaply (compared to other countries). My specialist endocrinologist charges P500 for a consultation (this is about US$12.00. But remember, minimum daily salary here is only P362.50 (less than US$10 a day), all of which translates to health care not being affordable.
However, not all doctors are good and you can spend quite a bit of money doctor shopping to find a good one if you don't strike gold first time.
Tests are quite a bit cheaper her, but still not cheap. MRI will cost about $600 total cost. However, that is way out of range for most people.... People go bankrupt and beg, borrow and steal to try to meet medical costs (or find someone to support them - a relative, or friend) if and when they occur. IF they can't meet these costs, then they suffer in silence till they die.
Insurance is available, but what you can get varies widely, and of course you have to be able to pay for it. On a minimum salary here there is no way people could afford health insurance. My insurance is international Blue Cross, but it excludes a lot of conditions..... and is only for inpatient. I will try my best not to make any claims in case I really need it for something big later.... oh, and the fine print excludes neurological conditions...
Sally
Health care is such a big issue, everywhere....
Living in Philippines, there are government hospitals where people with no money can get free consultation and limited treatment. But waits are very long, and they prioritize treatment so that only those with the most chance of getting well are treated. In many cases by the time people get to the hospital with conditions, even relatively simple ones like diabetes, it is too late.
For employed people there is a Social Security System that reimburses medical costs, or in some cases pays for treatment outright. My driver's wife had appendicitis. She was treated and recovered and he didn't have to pay very much.. My helper had to have an emergency cesarian when she had her baby: I paid on her behalf - but we got nearly all of it back.
If you have money here, then you can see a good doctor fairly easily and cheaply (compared to other countries). My specialist endocrinologist charges P500 for a consultation (this is about US$12.00. But remember, minimum daily salary here is only P362.50 (less than US$10 a day), all of which translates to health care not being affordable.
However, not all doctors are good and you can spend quite a bit of money doctor shopping to find a good one if you don't strike gold first time.
Tests are quite a bit cheaper her, but still not cheap. MRI will cost about $600 total cost. However, that is way out of range for most people.... People go bankrupt and beg, borrow and steal to try to meet medical costs (or find someone to support them - a relative, or friend) if and when they occur. IF they can't meet these costs, then they suffer in silence till they die.
Insurance is available, but what you can get varies widely, and of course you have to be able to pay for it. On a minimum salary here there is no way people could afford health insurance. My insurance is international Blue Cross, but it excludes a lot of conditions..... and is only for inpatient. I will try my best not to make any claims in case I really need it for something big later.... oh, and the fine print excludes neurological conditions...
Sally
It is a great thread, the cost of medications is another part of the problem, I just changed jobs and will have to go on COBRA to keep my benefits until the new one kicks in 90 days from now. Thankfully I have a very generous supportive family who will take care of the payment. My first shipment of my arthritis meds just arrived and one months's worth is 1500.00 WOW! The manufactuer pays the co-pay for the first 6 months. It is a scary world and I feel for the folks, especially the seniors who have to choose between buying their meds or their food. It's a disgrace to this nation and something needs to be done. Just my 2 cents!
If it turns out that I have MS and go on the DMD's, my health insurance company will be paying $5K a quarter for the meds. I'll pay $90. This might make someone say "congratulations, you are lucky to have such good coverage." However..
Every year my husband's boss shops the insurance around and we fill out new applications. We are a small group of three employees, their spouses, and one of the guys' young kids. The boss pays 100% of the premiums for the employees, and we're responsible for the family part.
Can you just imagine what is going to happen to our rates once those claims start going through? It will probably force the company to drop prescription benefits entirely, and they'll all hate me, or worse yet, it will make the overall insurance too expensive for everyone.
We absolutely must have universal health care.
Holly
Every year my husband's boss shops the insurance around and we fill out new applications. We are a small group of three employees, their spouses, and one of the guys' young kids. The boss pays 100% of the premiums for the employees, and we're responsible for the family part.
Can you just imagine what is going to happen to our rates once those claims start going through? It will probably force the company to drop prescription benefits entirely, and they'll all hate me, or worse yet, it will make the overall insurance too expensive for everyone.
We absolutely must have universal health care.
Holly
Great post ! I also am a supporter universal healthcare and especially since my husband is European. I know how the healthcare system works in his country and I know that the World Health Organization finds the quality of their healthcare better than ours. It reminds me of an old joke:
Q. What happened when the doctor in the U.S. made a housecall ?
A. The patient died of shock !
Great thread. I think SOMETHING should be done. This is a great way to find out from our Canadian friends how a universal health care system is working for them. However, I don't know if adopting their system is the right thing for us--because of the size of our country, tax rates, numbers of immigrants, etc. etc. Plus I do think that our system, with competitive health care services, provides us the opportunity for better equipment, research, health care, etc.
I also think that having the same health care system nationwide would make for more bureaucracy than ever before which is already bad with just a regular health care insurance. I would be scared that it would take even longer to get approved for a drug like Tysabri. Working in the public school system, I see what's happened when the federal government gets involved (i.e. NCLB). Government officials no longer listen to educators and educational experts when they're telling Congress that implementation of this act it's not working and needs to serious fixing. Transfer that to medical care and you have a scary picture!
However, middle class families are eaten away by the cost of health care insurance premiums and deductibles. When I had my LP in July the hospital cost only was $7000. I had to pay 20% of that (which comes to $1400) because I met my deductible of $1000 on the MRI I just had previously ($3000). I pay over $550 for health care insurance every month out of pocket. I'm a teacher and Texas ranks near the bottom for teacher pay. My husband is a self-employed musician, so I cover my entire family. Let's say that I lost my job or had to go on disability because of my eyesight or something else--where would that leave me? I still have to find a way to cover my family's health insurance.
I think healthy discussion to come up with a bi-partisan plan is our only hope. Middle class families and lower income families are in a crisis. I have yet to hear (maybe I've not been listening) for a task force or a think tank to come up with some serious solutions to this problem in a long time.
There are all sorts of systems, that can be an improvement, short a universal system. Maybe consideration should be made to a combination of different kinds of systems (complete government medical HMO for lower income families, government subsidy, and private). Or perhaps a huge tax credit for those middle class to lower class families that pay for their own insurance either from private insurance or from their employers.
I often thought too that everyone should have the right to health care, but I think it should be based upon how much the person makes. Wealthy families can handle their own health insurance without government help. Middle class families (like me) need help with the exorbitant costs of rising health care premiums and deductibles. Poor families should be provided an option for a government paid insurance or affordable insurance subsidized by the government. There should also be serious discussion about how illegal immigrants are provided care.
No easy solutions--but talk like this is really needed!
Deb
I also think that having the same health care system nationwide would make for more bureaucracy than ever before which is already bad with just a regular health care insurance. I would be scared that it would take even longer to get approved for a drug like Tysabri. Working in the public school system, I see what's happened when the federal government gets involved (i.e. NCLB). Government officials no longer listen to educators and educational experts when they're telling Congress that implementation of this act it's not working and needs to serious fixing. Transfer that to medical care and you have a scary picture!
However, middle class families are eaten away by the cost of health care insurance premiums and deductibles. When I had my LP in July the hospital cost only was $7000. I had to pay 20% of that (which comes to $1400) because I met my deductible of $1000 on the MRI I just had previously ($3000). I pay over $550 for health care insurance every month out of pocket. I'm a teacher and Texas ranks near the bottom for teacher pay. My husband is a self-employed musician, so I cover my entire family. Let's say that I lost my job or had to go on disability because of my eyesight or something else--where would that leave me? I still have to find a way to cover my family's health insurance.
I think healthy discussion to come up with a bi-partisan plan is our only hope. Middle class families and lower income families are in a crisis. I have yet to hear (maybe I've not been listening) for a task force or a think tank to come up with some serious solutions to this problem in a long time.
There are all sorts of systems, that can be an improvement, short a universal system. Maybe consideration should be made to a combination of different kinds of systems (complete government medical HMO for lower income families, government subsidy, and private). Or perhaps a huge tax credit for those middle class to lower class families that pay for their own insurance either from private insurance or from their employers.
I often thought too that everyone should have the right to health care, but I think it should be based upon how much the person makes. Wealthy families can handle their own health insurance without government help. Middle class families (like me) need help with the exorbitant costs of rising health care premiums and deductibles. Poor families should be provided an option for a government paid insurance or affordable insurance subsidized by the government. There should also be serious discussion about how illegal immigrants are provided care.
No easy solutions--but talk like this is really needed!
Deb
I especially don't have a problem with the excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol. Some Canadians refer to these as "sin taxes" ..... kind of funny. I don't personally think these things are SINFUL, but they're definitely not essential, and tobacco use in particular puts an additional burden on the health care system.
I figure if I can enjoy a glass of wine and support my health care system at the same time, well then....cheers! :)
db1
I figure if I can enjoy a glass of wine and support my health care system at the same time, well then....cheers! :)
db1
Also, we have so many other things that our taxes go towards, other than just medical coverage.
Car Insurance, community/provincial benefits (Saskatchewan offers finacial benefits to low income working families), Forestry, Education, etc.
I do have to agree with db1 that it is indeed like comparing apples to oranges.
I would however, pay a little here and a little there in my taxes, to have worry free medical coverage. Again, that's soley my personal opinion. I just wish there was a way to make it all quicker!
Christine
(un-dx)
Car Insurance, community/provincial benefits (Saskatchewan offers finacial benefits to low income working families), Forestry, Education, etc.
I do have to agree with db1 that it is indeed like comparing apples to oranges.
I would however, pay a little here and a little there in my taxes, to have worry free medical coverage. Again, that's soley my personal opinion. I just wish there was a way to make it all quicker!
Christine
(un-dx)
I agree with all that this is a healthy discussion, and also with the comment by Ess….this is indeed an extraordinarily complex topic!
I’m no economist, but I would think comparing just health care systems and/or income tax and sales tax rates, outside of the greater context is insufficient and misleading. It is such an apples and oranges comparison. So many differences between our nations: how much we are taxed; what we are taxed on; who bears the greater burden of taxation (ie: low wage vs high wage earners); what health and social and other community services are delivered; to whom they are made available; health care outcomes; etc. etc. It really is complex and I don’t know how one would go about objectively evaluating one vs. the other with so many variables involved. Most of what I have read on this subject is clearly biased towards one position or the other. There are pros and cons to each and every system, and these are subject to what the individual (and the community) values most.
Perhaps more important than the question of whether one system is better than the other, is looking to other countries to discover what is possible, and figuring out what can we learn from each other to improve on what we already have. Although it may not always be obvious, there is ALWAYS a better way.
db1
I’m no economist, but I would think comparing just health care systems and/or income tax and sales tax rates, outside of the greater context is insufficient and misleading. It is such an apples and oranges comparison. So many differences between our nations: how much we are taxed; what we are taxed on; who bears the greater burden of taxation (ie: low wage vs high wage earners); what health and social and other community services are delivered; to whom they are made available; health care outcomes; etc. etc. It really is complex and I don’t know how one would go about objectively evaluating one vs. the other with so many variables involved. Most of what I have read on this subject is clearly biased towards one position or the other. There are pros and cons to each and every system, and these are subject to what the individual (and the community) values most.
Perhaps more important than the question of whether one system is better than the other, is looking to other countries to discover what is possible, and figuring out what can we learn from each other to improve on what we already have. Although it may not always be obvious, there is ALWAYS a better way.
db1
I looked up tax rates. In Canada they range from 15 to 37 percent and then you have an additional tax to pay in the province where you live, which is mostly double digit.
In the United Kingdom where there are more people to support for universal health insurance, the tax rates are anywhere from mid 20 percent to up to 78 percent tax rate.
Craig does work with people who live in United Kingdom and they very often state that they much prefer our tax rates!!
Elaine
In the United Kingdom where there are more people to support for universal health insurance, the tax rates are anywhere from mid 20 percent to up to 78 percent tax rate.
Craig does work with people who live in United Kingdom and they very often state that they much prefer our tax rates!!
Elaine
I don't see anything political about this discussion. I think it's a healthy discussion. No one is slamming anyone else and only voicing their concerns. This is healthy.
Michael I for one am glad that you brought it up. It helps us all to understand the health care systems around the world.
Thank you,
Heather
Michael I for one am glad that you brought it up. It helps us all to understand the health care systems around the world.
Thank you,
Heather
I agree to leave it where it is, but I would like to clarify that indeed our taxes, I'm sure, are higher. We pay tax on everything. Although, to my knowlege, cigarettes are about $80-$90 a carton, but that can vary depending on where you live (provincially).
ABSOLUTELY our healthcare isn't free, if I said that I didn't mean it. I just meant that in some provinces there is no monthly premium. We have hotel taxes, alcohol taxes, cigarette taxes, GST, PST (in most provinces), but Zilla, I don't actually know the percentage that we pay in tax. I'd rather not know! LOL
Christine
(un-dx)
ABSOLUTELY our healthcare isn't free, if I said that I didn't mean it. I just meant that in some provinces there is no monthly premium. We have hotel taxes, alcohol taxes, cigarette taxes, GST, PST (in most provinces), but Zilla, I don't actually know the percentage that we pay in tax. I'd rather not know! LOL
Christine
(un-dx)
Exactly. What I meant by "great discussion" was that it was great to hear from EVERYONE, not just those who agree or disagree with us on this very complex issue.
Why don't we leave this topic where it stands now, and hope that our leaders will come up with some good, workable solutions.
Fell well!
Zilla*
Why don't we leave this topic where it stands now, and hope that our leaders will come up with some good, workable solutions.
Fell well!
Zilla*
I agree, when I first posted I thought it was agood idea.
Now, I beleive this discussion might be inappropiate for this forum. I am not sure.
Yet, this is a major concern for all in the US that frequent this forum.
Now, I beleive this discussion might be inappropiate for this forum. I am not sure.
Yet, this is a major concern for all in the US that frequent this forum.
Nothing is free. Health care everywhere is hideously expensive, and we all wind up paying one way or another. Our insurance premiums, etc., can be very high, but probably the taxes we would pay to fund a national system would be even higher. It boils down to what side of the philosophical fence one chooses. The role of big government will go on being debated ad infinitem. There's no question that it fosters huge waste, bureaucracy, bungling and opportunities for corruption. It is not the capitalist way. On the other hand, one could conclude that all these deficiencies notwithstanding, the means is justified by the end in this case.
Where would we be without Social Security, for instance? People should save, plan for their retirement, be responsible, etc., etc., yet many just plain don't and many can't. Should we drop the 'don'ts' overboard and help only the 'can'ts'?
This forum certainly isn't the place for political arguments and I sure don't want that to happen. I'm just pointing out that the subject under discussion is extraordinarily complex.
ess
Where would we be without Social Security, for instance? People should save, plan for their retirement, be responsible, etc., etc., yet many just plain don't and many can't. Should we drop the 'don'ts' overboard and help only the 'can'ts'?
This forum certainly isn't the place for political arguments and I sure don't want that to happen. I'm just pointing out that the subject under discussion is extraordinarily complex.
ess
We must have posted at the same time. I think we thinking along the same lines....
Such a complex issue. Great discussion!
Zill*
Such a complex issue. Great discussion!
Zill*
I appreciated hearing from everyone. What a lively discussion!
May I ask what percentage of taxes you pay in Canada?
Zilla*
May I ask what percentage of taxes you pay in Canada?
Zilla*
One of my best friends lives in La Crete and she tells me that your health care costs you all in other ways...as in very high prices for consumer products. She said that I carton of cigarettes is over $100 a carton. She says that everything costs more in Canada.
I would assume this is how your United Health Care is paid for. High pricers for consumer goods.
If that's what would happen with United Health Care in the US, I would fear the high cost of all consumer goods.
If there is an answer as to how to pay for health care for all, without it bankrupting the citizens just buying a carton of milk, then I don't know if I would be for it or not.
Just a thought.
Heather
I would assume this is how your United Health Care is paid for. High pricers for consumer goods.
If that's what would happen with United Health Care in the US, I would fear the high cost of all consumer goods.
If there is an answer as to how to pay for health care for all, without it bankrupting the citizens just buying a carton of milk, then I don't know if I would be for it or not.
Just a thought.
Heather
db1 actually that's how I got my last MRI in a month, rather than 2 months (it was just brain and c-spine without contrast). I was supposed to be in Saskatoon (no MRI machines where I live either, and S'toon in 1.5 hours away) on a particular day and called the MRI center as soon as I got my appointment date and asked if they happened to have a cancellation could they let me know, they told me then and there they had a cancellation for that day, and boom, 2 birds with 1 stone.
Again, I digress, in my personal opinion, as a chronically ill person living in Canada, I do love my Universal Coverage, and the freedom to seek medical care, at will, and without cost.
I also love that there's never a wait to see if a procedure will be approved. With the exception of elective surgery, it's all covered, all the time. As soon as a doctor requests it, you know it's just a matter of waiting for the appointment.
Some provinces ask for premiums, but those are typically nullified for lower income families. Saskatchewan has no monthly premiums.
I just wish there was a way to speed up the process (not just for me, but for everyone who is stuck waiting for testing).
I'm so pleased DB1 that your experience in diagnosis was so good, and so quick. As it stands that SHOULD be the norm, but unfortunately it's not, for a variety of reasons.
Christine
(un-dx)
Again, I digress, in my personal opinion, as a chronically ill person living in Canada, I do love my Universal Coverage, and the freedom to seek medical care, at will, and without cost.
I also love that there's never a wait to see if a procedure will be approved. With the exception of elective surgery, it's all covered, all the time. As soon as a doctor requests it, you know it's just a matter of waiting for the appointment.
Some provinces ask for premiums, but those are typically nullified for lower income families. Saskatchewan has no monthly premiums.
I just wish there was a way to speed up the process (not just for me, but for everyone who is stuck waiting for testing).
I'm so pleased DB1 that your experience in diagnosis was so good, and so quick. As it stands that SHOULD be the norm, but unfortunately it's not, for a variety of reasons.
Christine
(un-dx)
Like Christine, I value universal health care in Canada, and also agree there are flaws. No system is without flaws. My experience in terms of diagnosis, treatment, wait times, etc. in this country has been a positive one.
After a weekend of suspicious symptoms, I called my family doctor and got an appt. the SAME day. The NEXT DAY I had labs done. FOUR DAYS later they were back, normal. Back to my doctor, she referred me for a MRI. I had it done ONE WEEK later. Results back in FIVE DAYS. Abnormal. Went right back to my doctor, she referred me to an on-call neuro, out of town (none where I live). Had an appt in ONE WEEK. Immediately he could see something was wrong; he immediately ordered an lp; had it done the SAME DAY; was referred to another on-call neuro taking over from the first guy. Lp results back in less than 24 HOURS. Had ‘unofficial’ dx of MS (aka “demyelinating disease”), FIVE WEEKS after onset of symptoms. Immediately treated with 5 day infusion of steroids. ONE WEEK later, I was in with an ophthalmologist due to my double vision. I saw an MS specialist at a major MS clinic FIVE WEEKS after being referred (I was told this was considered a ‘longer’ wait because the guy was one of the best).
Keep in mind there is no money changing hands while all of this is going on. My Alberta Health Card is all they need (for which I pay nominal premiums. In most provinces, there are NO such premiums). Bear in mind, health care in Canada is not ‘free.’ I pay my taxes and don’t resent this at all based on what I get back. I also don't resent those who pay less taxes than me, or none at all, and have access to the same care.
I am certainly 'lucky' in regards to my clear cut case of MS. I did have minor symptoms over a year previously that were checked out promptly, and by the time I had my MRI’s (one normal, one mildly 'suspicious' but no lesions back then), my symptoms disappeared. For a while after my dx, I did second-guess why more wasn't done the year before, but the reality is that I had no lesions, I felt very healthy, my minor symptoms were transient, and it was apparently too early in the disease for it to be detected. I did not get sick until more than a year later; and the timeframe from the first appearance of my major symptoms to my appt with the MS specialist was TEN WEEKS, with all of the above diagnostics and treatment happening in between.
Upon diagnosis, I was given a CHOICE regarding which neuro I wanted; I had been seen by FOUR different ones in total throughout this experience; or, I could pick anyone else practicing in that area. I settled on the guy at the MS clinic for reasons obvious to anyone here.
The icing on the cake is that with a small monthly premium for supplemental drug coverage insurance (available to all Alberta citizens with no exclusions for ‘pre-existing conditions’), combined with my employer health plan, my MS meds are TOTALLY COVERED. Even without an employer health plan, the most one would have to pay in Alberta is $25 per month for MS meds (with the supplemental coverage in place).
I continue to see my GP on a regular basis and she is fantastic. She has personally called me at home on numerous occasions to talk about test results, next steps, etc. Between she and my MS doctor, I am getting excellent medical care at very little cost to me (nominal insurance premiums). Why are these doctors so good and yet don’t have to 'compete' nor get particular 'incentives'? I don’t know the answer to that, they just are.
Having read the stories of my US counterparts, I’m not sure even with insurance that I would have been treated as quickly or as well as I was here in Canada.
Obviously no system is perfect, but there must be a better way than the current American experience. I have no idea what the solution for the US may be. What works for Canada may not work for the US. I for one am very grateful for the system available to me, and appreciate the underlying values and principles on which it is based.
Please excuse the caps --- I just really wanted to emphasize those points around timeframes, as I thought this was important to convey.
db1
ps to Christine - regarding your expected wait for another MRI, my advice is to call, call, call, and make friends with the clinic receptionist. There are often cancellations and chances are you will get in sooner by being proactive. This works for me every time.
After a weekend of suspicious symptoms, I called my family doctor and got an appt. the SAME day. The NEXT DAY I had labs done. FOUR DAYS later they were back, normal. Back to my doctor, she referred me for a MRI. I had it done ONE WEEK later. Results back in FIVE DAYS. Abnormal. Went right back to my doctor, she referred me to an on-call neuro, out of town (none where I live). Had an appt in ONE WEEK. Immediately he could see something was wrong; he immediately ordered an lp; had it done the SAME DAY; was referred to another on-call neuro taking over from the first guy. Lp results back in less than 24 HOURS. Had ‘unofficial’ dx of MS (aka “demyelinating disease”), FIVE WEEKS after onset of symptoms. Immediately treated with 5 day infusion of steroids. ONE WEEK later, I was in with an ophthalmologist due to my double vision. I saw an MS specialist at a major MS clinic FIVE WEEKS after being referred (I was told this was considered a ‘longer’ wait because the guy was one of the best).
Keep in mind there is no money changing hands while all of this is going on. My Alberta Health Card is all they need (for which I pay nominal premiums. In most provinces, there are NO such premiums). Bear in mind, health care in Canada is not ‘free.’ I pay my taxes and don’t resent this at all based on what I get back. I also don't resent those who pay less taxes than me, or none at all, and have access to the same care.
I am certainly 'lucky' in regards to my clear cut case of MS. I did have minor symptoms over a year previously that were checked out promptly, and by the time I had my MRI’s (one normal, one mildly 'suspicious' but no lesions back then), my symptoms disappeared. For a while after my dx, I did second-guess why more wasn't done the year before, but the reality is that I had no lesions, I felt very healthy, my minor symptoms were transient, and it was apparently too early in the disease for it to be detected. I did not get sick until more than a year later; and the timeframe from the first appearance of my major symptoms to my appt with the MS specialist was TEN WEEKS, with all of the above diagnostics and treatment happening in between.
Upon diagnosis, I was given a CHOICE regarding which neuro I wanted; I had been seen by FOUR different ones in total throughout this experience; or, I could pick anyone else practicing in that area. I settled on the guy at the MS clinic for reasons obvious to anyone here.
The icing on the cake is that with a small monthly premium for supplemental drug coverage insurance (available to all Alberta citizens with no exclusions for ‘pre-existing conditions’), combined with my employer health plan, my MS meds are TOTALLY COVERED. Even without an employer health plan, the most one would have to pay in Alberta is $25 per month for MS meds (with the supplemental coverage in place).
I continue to see my GP on a regular basis and she is fantastic. She has personally called me at home on numerous occasions to talk about test results, next steps, etc. Between she and my MS doctor, I am getting excellent medical care at very little cost to me (nominal insurance premiums). Why are these doctors so good and yet don’t have to 'compete' nor get particular 'incentives'? I don’t know the answer to that, they just are.
Having read the stories of my US counterparts, I’m not sure even with insurance that I would have been treated as quickly or as well as I was here in Canada.
Obviously no system is perfect, but there must be a better way than the current American experience. I have no idea what the solution for the US may be. What works for Canada may not work for the US. I for one am very grateful for the system available to me, and appreciate the underlying values and principles on which it is based.
Please excuse the caps --- I just really wanted to emphasize those points around timeframes, as I thought this was important to convey.
db1
ps to Christine - regarding your expected wait for another MRI, my advice is to call, call, call, and make friends with the clinic receptionist. There are often cancellations and chances are you will get in sooner by being proactive. This works for me every time.
As a Canadian, I just wanted to pipe in here.
As much as I LOVE my Universal Healthcare, I would like to point out that indeed it has it's downfalls. There are incompetent doctors within our healthcare system too. 2.5 years I've been looking for an answer, and still don't have one. That's not soley because of incompetency, but that has played a factor. As a matter of fact, it took me 4 family doctors to actually be listened to.
We need referrals to specialists, which involves a wait time. I got lucky this time. I chose (not an option for every province to get to choose their specialist) a neurologist who is new to the province, but has done extensive work with the MS Clinics back in my home province. Her patient list here is small, so my wait to see her was only a month. If she determines that my MRI isn't sufficient due to lack of gad, or that it should have been booked on the 1.5Tesla, rather than the 1.0 Tesla, or that she wants spinal images as well, then I'll probably be looking at a relatively long wait. It could be as long as 5 months to get a full head, c-spine and t-spine MRI with and without contrast. I know that best case scenerio, and I mean BEST case, I'll likely be looking at at LEAST 6 months before I can even think about the reality of a diagnosis, likely much longer.
I'm NOT trying to downtalk the Universal Healthcare system at all. I love the security in knowing that I never have to worry about co-pays or if I qualify for insurance, but I wanted to put my 2 cents in. It needs work. If the US chooses to adopt a Universal Healthcare Policy, I hope they find a way to do it which will minimize wait times. I believe Universal Healthcare is the best way to go, I would just like to see my neighbours to the south do it in a way that works better than ours does.
Christine
(un-dx)
As much as I LOVE my Universal Healthcare, I would like to point out that indeed it has it's downfalls. There are incompetent doctors within our healthcare system too. 2.5 years I've been looking for an answer, and still don't have one. That's not soley because of incompetency, but that has played a factor. As a matter of fact, it took me 4 family doctors to actually be listened to.
We need referrals to specialists, which involves a wait time. I got lucky this time. I chose (not an option for every province to get to choose their specialist) a neurologist who is new to the province, but has done extensive work with the MS Clinics back in my home province. Her patient list here is small, so my wait to see her was only a month. If she determines that my MRI isn't sufficient due to lack of gad, or that it should have been booked on the 1.5Tesla, rather than the 1.0 Tesla, or that she wants spinal images as well, then I'll probably be looking at a relatively long wait. It could be as long as 5 months to get a full head, c-spine and t-spine MRI with and without contrast. I know that best case scenerio, and I mean BEST case, I'll likely be looking at at LEAST 6 months before I can even think about the reality of a diagnosis, likely much longer.
I'm NOT trying to downtalk the Universal Healthcare system at all. I love the security in knowing that I never have to worry about co-pays or if I qualify for insurance, but I wanted to put my 2 cents in. It needs work. If the US chooses to adopt a Universal Healthcare Policy, I hope they find a way to do it which will minimize wait times. I believe Universal Healthcare is the best way to go, I would just like to see my neighbours to the south do it in a way that works better than ours does.
Christine
(un-dx)
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