It is sad ours is considered one of the best in the world. I havn't had a doctor other than a medi clinic for 2 years. I had to beg to get my colon fixed, they didn't want to repair it until it became life threatening (every time I got an infection I could septic, it was already life threatening)).
Not saying the USA is good, but instead of waiting over a year and that was fast tracking it, I could have been repaired in 3 weeks. I could also get a doctor pretty easily.
Here they keep telling me to get on the list, lol, the list of never getting a call.
A lot of work could be done in Ontario. Alberta health care when I lived there was hands down better.
I totally understand. On the flip side, my father has quite a few friends in the U.S., and my folks meet many Americans when they travel to Mexico. A consistent theme is access to health care. Some of those they meet are well off, and it is not an issue for them, but they lament about the lack of care available to their family members or friends who are not as fortunate. A constant refrain is how badly they wish they had universal health care. Those who can afford quality care do not believe it is fair that society essentially discriminates access to health care, medications, and treatments according to the depth of one's pockets.
Had I been in the U.S., and not had excellent health insurance I would have lost most of my leg. I would also never had received a hip replacement, at best a fused hip, which means no hip mobility, and I would never have received the back surgery either.
As I mentioned, the current system is far from perfect. I waited 2+ years for a hip replacement, which caused my pelvic misalignment, which lead to a herniated disc and subsequent years of debilitating chronic pain. When I had a nerve conduction assessment done to assess my eligibility for a discectomy and vertebrae fusion I did not qualify, the criteria is nerve impingement resulting in the inability to control bladder and/or leg function. I was on a heavy amount of pain killers, probably should not have been driving, and had absolutely no quality of life. For the last two years leading up to my surgery I was in constant agony, depressed, and spent the majority of my days lying on my back.
When the neurologist provided the results I expressed my desperation. I had an accident when I was 25, spent years trying to rebuild my life before the back pain, a result of having to wait for a surgery, lead to this state. I assured him that within the next 2-3 years I would be dead. It was not a threat, but an honest statement that I had nothing to look forward to without surgery.
Fortunately, there was a new neurosurgeon being brought on staff, who did not have a full patient list. When I had my consult the neurosurgeon informed me that I should have had surgery years ago as there was considerable nerve impingement, and the disc was completely crushed. To not have surgery would result in paralysis and confinement to a wheelchair.
As terrible as these circumstances might seem, without universal health care I am certain I would not be here. There is no dignity in a life of suffering. At least now I have the means to pursue goals and engage in activities I enjoy.
I endured a lot to be resentful for, but I'm most thankful for the end result. It was good timing, and for that I'm grateful.
Health insurance isn't extremely expensive, but $450/mo averaged over 20 years is a lot of money, a decent chunk of a mortgage, depending on where you live. I was considering supplemental health insurance, which would not have been expensive at that age, and would have provided a lot of added support, but not everyone has that luxury, many don't, and that's why I believe quality health care should be one of the cornerstones of our society. Someone clone Tommy Douglas, he'll get this shit back on track! Layton would have gotten the job done.
