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An Ontario woman did not rate timely care despite a cancer diagnosis and a huge tumor. Per the Globe & Mail:
Inside Sylvia de Vries lurked an enormous tumour and fluid totalling 18 kilograms. But not even that massive weight gain and a diagnosis of ovarian cancer could assure her timely treatment in Canada.
So, where do you suppose she had to go to get treatment? She was, of course, forced to seek care south of the border:
Fighting for her life, the Windsor woman headed to the United States. In Pontiac, Mich., a surgeon excised the tumour – 35 centimetres at its longest – along with her ovaries, appendix, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix.
A happy ending? Not quite. Canada’s vaunted health care system decided to add insult to injury:
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan says it won’t pay for the $60,000 cancer treatment because Ms. de Vries did not fill out the correct form seeking preapproval for out-of-country care.
This is typical of Canadian health care folks: lousy care, long waits, and bureaucratic paperwork.
And yet our “progressive” friends want us to emulate Canada’s system. Are they really that dumb?
March 13th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Its typical of you David to say this is “typical” health care in Canada. It is not. It is rare, but can occur. It makes great press and hence why you quoted the story. Here’s my horror story that didn’t make the Globe.
Broke my finger playing soccer Thursday night. Went to Urgent Care Emerg at one of the city’s hospitals next morning. Was seen, x-rayed, splinted in less than an hour. Referred to hand surgeon NEXT DAY, but didn’t recommend surgery, which he would have performed that week. Made an appointment 3 weeks later for follow up, then again 6 weeks after that. Finger doing fine today. Total cost?? $6 in parking.
THis is typical care that I have received throughout my lifetime. Although the ladies’ case is tragic, it is extremely rare and you know horror stories occur in the States as well, you just won’t quote these here will you David??
And to say our system is full of bureaucratic paperwork is laughable considering the paperwork involved in a “typical” HMO’s coverage.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
[…] week the Globe and Mail reported that “Inside Sylvia de Vries lurked an enormous tumour and fluid totalling 18 kilograms. But […]
March 14th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
“Total cost?? $6 in parking.”
You really believe it only cost you $6 in parking?
March 14th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
No, I don’t believe it really cost just $6 in parking. I am well aware my taxes cover our healthcare. But my income tax burden is not much more than my comparative American who still must pay for insurance, if their employer doesn’t cover them. Not to mention the co-pays, etc. you must also pay on top of that. And that’s if the HMO decides that they WILL cover you. I’m not even going to mention those who aren’t covered in the U.S. nor can afford insurance. Ooops. My point is that Mr. Catron finds these rare cases that do happen in Canada, I’m not arguing that, but then tries to pass them off as “typical”. My experience is far more typical, although I will admit that an hour was pretty fast. I was also amazed that I was referred to a surgeon the next day. I will also add, that all three of my follow ups with the surgeon included x-rays. I had my x-ray, saw the surgeon and was on my way in about an hour all 3 times. Guys like Mr. Catron will never point out waiting times like those.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
[…] week the Globe and Mail reported that Inside Sylvia de Vries lurked an enormous tumour and fluid totalling 18 kilograms. But not […]
August 12th, 2008 at 2:41 am
[…] Globe and Mail reportedthat “Inside Sylvia de Vries lurked an enormous tumour and fluid totalling 18 kilograms. But […]