Thursday, October 18, 2007

Uh, Doc, it hurts right here...

I read in my morning newspaper about how our Govornator is stabbing about how to pay for his "broad health care plan," which is double speak for giving everyone in California health insurance. He needs $37 billion for this dalliance with idiocy, but can't find the money. Isn't this just like a politician to sign a bill and then wonder how they're going to pay for it? What I found to be most humorous is that they're considering leasing the lottery to a private operator. Wait, wait, it gets even better. Finance Dept. spokesman HD Palmer said that the administration is convinced that a private company could make the biggest improvement in lottery revenue. This is as close an admission as we're ever going to get that they understand how inefficient and inept they really are and need private enterprise to bail them out.

This is who you want governing your medical care?

In light of this, here is how those lucky Canadians are enjoying the medical care that certain parties seem to envy. Thanks M.D.O.D.

5 comments:

Sandra Cormier said...

I guess you could say I'm 'on the fence' over this issue.

My cousin's little boy was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on November 13/98 after having a CAT Scan done that morning.

On Nov. 15/98, Austin had surgery to have a port-a-cath inserted (central venous line), and a biopsy on the mass that was found in his abdomen. On Nov. 20/98 he received his first round of chemo.

His battle lasted five years, with excellent care from both McMaster University Medical Centre and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. At least, that's the impression I got from his mom's blog posts at the time.

They did explore options available in the States, and Austin's parents were prepared to pay. We had a massive fund raising campaign just in case.

Some treatment was done in Philadelphia, and Austin's mom went to the government for reimbursement. There was an article in the Globe and Mail about it, but I can't provide a link because you have to pay. Anyway, she won and her battle (along with others) set a precedent to allow others in Ontario to seek treatment elsewhere and receive compensation.

In general, we all receive the care we need without worries. I had my children at the local hospital, and my daughter had oxygen problems. She spent a few days in neonatal care, and it didn't cost me a penny.

For special circumstances, I'm sure there will be waiting lists and other problems, but for the most part I'm very thankful we don't have the insurance problems and restrictions most Americans seem to be subjected to.

BTW, that tumor patient in the video is from the town I live in right now. The medical centre in Newmarket is in the middle of a major expansion, and the Cancer Centre is almost ready for its grand opening. Sorry it was a little too late for this fellow. I hope everything worked out for him.

Lynn Price said...

The problem I have with this is that my pockets are being raided to supply a service to those who, for whatever reason, are without. How and why is that my responsibility? Why is it not the parent's responsibility?

My husband and I worked our butts off to get where we are because we wanted the best possible life for ourselves and our children. Because we've succeeded, the government feels it's entitled to play Robin Hood, all in the name of power and votes. What will they do when they've taxed us into the poorhouse? Who will be left to rape?

My other problem with this is that putting government in charge of anything is a guarantee for failure. And who pays? We all do. It's my opinion that no one should have to appeal to the government just to get treatment or to be paid back. These dimwits can't run the government properly, and now they want to inject their idiocy into my wallet and medical care? No way. Chumplet, I'm grateful your cousin's little boy is okay, but also know that his care came at the great expense of many hard working Canadians in the form of your outrageous taxes.

As it is, I have to pay not only for my own family's medical welfare, but every other person who decides not to have insurance, and it doesn't matter if they're legal or not. Their medical care is not my problem, and boy oh boy, I do resent it.

Sandra Cormier said...

We have individual insurance paid privately or through our workplaces that provide dental, eye care and prescriptions. Otherwise, we pay the astronomical prices that everyone else pays.

Taxation is a sticky issue. Does a person who doesn't drive resent paying taxes for road improvements? Does a couple with no children resent taxes to pay for public schools?

It's hard to take one side or the other.

Unfortunately, Austin didn't survive, but boy, do we have some wonderful memories, many of which are being written into my WIP with my cousin's permission.

Lynn Price said...

Oh, god, Chumplet, I'm so sorry to hear about Austin. It's so sad when a child dies. So unfair. My heart goes out to you and your family.

As to taxes for roads and schools for those who don't partake - I see those as separate issues from health care. Schools and roads are part of society's infrastructure. Health care is an individual concern, and I don't see it as the government's call to order me to pay for something that I already have, and because I have it, so should everyone else.

Where does it stop? Because I have a lovely home, are they going to mandate that I don't deserve to have it because someone else has far less? Look at the luxury taxes that are added to cars and boats. The government is in the practice of penalizing anyone who is successful.

This isn't freedom; it's socialism, and it scares the hell out of me. Does anyone really believe that Hillary or Al Gore are going to wait six months for an MRI or CAT scan? Of course not. These rules are for us peons. Al jets around the world while bemoaning global warming and leaves a far bigger carbon footprint than my entire city.

No, if someone wants a lovely home, or car, or health care, let them go out and earn it. But keep the free-spending, free wheeling fingies out of my wallet.

Sandra Cormier said...

Yeah, look at the hockey players who get an MRI the same night they slam into the boards. You're right, nothing in society is an exact science, and not matter how hard humans try, they're not going to please everyone.