Health Care Stories from Americans in Canada

Obamacare saved my fiance's life.

THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT

My finace Greg Taylor was diagnosed with congestive heart failure 2006 . His insurance dropped him and he could not get reinsured. A few years ago he managed to get on a care program in a VA hospital. But is care was just very basic, in fact one doctor even said an institute can not afford to cover these devices you need or they would go broke. Thanks to the High Risk pool, all inclusive health plan, we were able to get him insurence in North Carolina where we now live. His insurance took effect this April 1. Since that day I sit here writing, he had surgery, he now has a BIVICD, and he is happily recovering. It came not a moment to late. His heart had only 10% function and he was declining rapidly. He may be a stranger to any of you, but to me this man is the love of my life. A good hard working american. It was so devastating that he had no health care option. Now we sit here on the mend, in the utmost gratitude that this plan was abailable and we are not financialy broke. We will always be greatful to President Obama for pushing foward with this. We ask that health care remain an option for all americans.

S.Y.

Durham, North Carolina

A story like Natoma's in Ontario

Hi All

I have called Mark Kirk and many others personally.  I have a story very like Natoma's -- with a twist.  My sister -- a university grad with a job and paying into a health plan -- was diagnosed with colon cancer.  To make a long story short the insurance company canceled her because she "was too expensive."  When she died in her early 40's(!) she had lost her house her assets was on welfare and eating out of handouts and food banks.  Nice.  My son on the other hand became quite ill when he was in gr. 9 and we were here in Ontario.  Within a week he had seen our family doctor, a specialist, had x-rays and blood work stress tests etc. done and had been referred to and seen by the head of thoracic medicine at Sick Kids.  He was operated on 24 hours later.  He was in Sick Kids about 9 days with 24/7 nursing and post-op care.

My total bill?  $42.87 for bandages adhesive tape etc.  Thank God we were here.  I have nightmares thinking what might have happened to us if we were in the States!

I am praying for the success of reform.  I still do not understand what the big deal is!!!

Susan

Prostate Cancer Up Close and Personal

In October 2009, at age 67, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  The good doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital here in Toronto immediately told me I had three options:  radical surgery, radiation treatments, and brachytherapy (radioactive implants).  As a former history professor with a penchant for research, I immediately set out to learn as much as I could about the benefits and drawbacks of each of these choices.

The first thing I learned is that there are no guarantees.  No matter how good the surgeon, the radiation therapists, or the implant specialists, it is still possible that some cancer cells will survive the treatment and eventually resurface somewhere else in my body.  So I have to live with that for the rest of my life.  So it goes.

The second thing I learned is that medical opinions differ widely as to the potential side effects of each of the treatments.  For the most part, each of the specialists I consulted felt that his (or her) treatment offered the best chance of minimizing deleterious side effects such as bladder or bowel disorder or sexual dysfunction.  Surprisingly, when I asked one radiation oncologist what he would do in my situation, he replied that were he my age and in my otherwise excellent state of health, he would choose surgery over his own field of specialization.  Apart from this one example, however, all other specialists preferred their own specialty.  Needless to say, this did not help me resolve my own indecision.

Why President Obama Should Proclaim "On health care reform, you're either with us or against us!"

The health care reform is heading towards reconciliation, and from all indications all out war is being waged along partisan lines. From the many stories we have received from Americans in Canada -- over 60 to date -- most have ardently supported health care reform -- including the public option. When surveyed by Democrats Abroad Canada, over 50% of Americans in Canada consider health care reform in the US their #1 priority for the administration, above the economy and jobs. This is not really surprising.

The reason why this issue is so important to Americans abroad is that most have already experienced public health care. We don't worry about a hefty bill waiting for you when you check out of the hospital. And we don't live in fear of a potential bankruptcy. For most Americans abroad public health care is available before we are even naturalized as residents or citizens. We have the freedom to start our own business, without paying extra for a health insurance plan. We can work for a company that is not burdened with the high costs of providing health care benefits for their employees. Americans abroad actually enjoy more freedom and piece of mind as a result, and most Americans abroad are bewildered why this debate is so hotly contested by Americans back home.

What's most revealing though is the personal story for each American living abroad. We all have strong ties back to the United States. Personally, I have parents in their 60s living in Michigan. My father worked as an electrical engineer for Ford and then Visteon, a Ford spinoff, for most of his life. When forced into early retirement at 61, he was given a continuation of an existing employer subsidized health care program. My mother never had the benefits of any health care as she was self-employed for most of her life as a cosmetician, and never had health insurance on her own. Although they will be eligible for Social Security, there is always the spectre of an unexpected illness that may cost way more than they ever imagined.

Health care.

Editor: This letter was submitted and republished without any edits other than removing the identification from the submitter. We publish these stories as we receive them.

Im a woman,who nows the inns out of the health care sytems.Ive lived it,as many have.Im praying,hoping that the authorities will soon come to terms with there wrongs.God is too.Ill tell a brief story of my exspirience.This will support all.Many times in my life,i was rushed to hospitals,with pain.Ive been involved with mental health,been on mental health drugs.When taken to hospitals for pain,waited several times for hours,not taken sereously.The dr,heare in london ontaio,vancouver b.c.when admitting me,only took,blood tests,put me on pain meds,through intervenous.I was laughed at,mocked,told i was a lier.Asked because they,found no result of pain,to stay,we think its a mental issue,needing syc help.Asking me if i hear voices,or see things others dont?I was honest said yes,i hear God,angels,prophets,devil.They thought this was,delutions,skitzo.They felt i was a danger to myself,others.Not so.Latter in years proven,after i went accross canada,to vancouver b.c i was striped of all my selfworth.Faught day,night.Today,they have been proven wrong.Im now free from mental health issues,no medication,have had tests done,through my family dr,proving my pain real.Through blood tests after 40 years,in 2008,and exrays,ect,my dr came up with,acute pain in nina mccutcheon,since birth,she has had astreo arthritis,in every bone,starting in vagina bone.Because of abuse throughout her life,sexual,and sytem abuse,it has caused it to spread,through out her body,as a result.Im free from mental drugs today,the things i see,hear,are those things wich,are aplicable,and true,many are ,pastors,evangelists,prophets of today,in days past have seen,heard,theses things.These things are proven,revelation,prophecies unfolding today,in all our lives,weather,anyone to admit it or not.Mental health,is a axcuse to make money,cause jobs,that are causing severe mental,emotional,physicl,issues for all,asspecially lower class citizens,causing deaths,alot of paperwork,diagreements,forcing against wills.Many times,after put on heavy doses of pain releaf,sent home,after hours,had to walk home,no energy,long distances,one time almost got hit by a car,falling to ground,a man in a van,called ambulance,plice,wich took me home.At one time,mental health put me on,seriqual,this caused me a problem,one time i took it,instead of tilinol,mistaken,but also a ment to take,through mental health,i took ,i started feeling dizzy,out of rang,i called a friend,he called ambulance,they came,uknowingly by me,they took my pulse,heart rate,my eyes rolling over,distraught,the rate was,180 under 85,and at close to 160 beats a minute.I could have died.

Anti Fungal Medicine - 3 times the cost in US

Ten years ago, I picked up a toenail fungus in Florida which became so serious that the doctor told me if I had not come in for treatment my toe would possibly have to be amputated.  The prescription he gave me was to be taken for three months.  The first month I paid $300 U.S. for the prescription.  The next two months, I paid a total of $200 Canadian as I had traveled back to Canada and bought the exact same prescription there.

Why did this medicine cost 3 times as much in the states?  

Wake up about health care America!

As an American living in Canada for 27 years, I can say it has one of the world's best socialized health care systems. I'm tired of the false stories circulating regarding how bad our system is. Absolutely not true!

First my mother at 29 died of cancer while my Dad was attending university in Nebr., he spent at least 10 years paying those medical debts. Now my sister a 15 year Hodgkins survivor is having radiation side effects. She has worked and raised her daughter single handedly her whole life. After 3 visits to American hospitals she has had to sell her condo in Colorado on a short sale (still not sold) and move to PA with our youngest sister.

Her daughter is finishing her senior year of high school with her grandmother in Denver. To the tune of $3000 to $5000 a day for hospital stay during emergency surgery, still unable to work, she has bankruptcy to look forward too. Her whole life has unraveled before her after years of being a productive, contributing U.S. citizen.

This in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet. I find it shameful all  Americans do not have a health care plan that takes care of them and their families. Yes, you might have to pay higher taxes, so what, it's worth every penny here in Canada. Glad I have options. I would never give up my Canadian status for the great standard of living all Canadians can enjoy.

Come on America, get behind Barack Obama and help him get the job done! Big business once again is trying to get in the way only for their monetary gain. A frustrated American in Canada watching the show!

P.A.C.

8 months in critical care at no cost

In August of 2005 I was diagnosed with colon cancer.  The operation took place in August.   The staple in the colon came undone in 24 hours.  I was in a coma until October.  According to my husband there were TWO nurses assigned to my bed 24 hours a day until I came out of the coma. By March I was sent home and a health care worker came daily to bathe me and help me dress.  I August I was sent back for another operation.  After that I came home in September and a nurse came twice a day to see to the incision healing.  After a while the nurses came once a day then every two days until December when everything was healed.  The cost to us - $2.00 a day for the phone beside my bed.

Works for me

I live steps away from my doctor's office and can visit any time I want, if I am willing to wait a variable amount of time, probably averaging a half hour. For anything routine, he is who I see. When my wife needed an endoscopy specialist, we got one quickly and when she needed laproscopic gallbladder surgery, that was taken care of quickly too.

I find Canadian doctors to be generous about ordering tests, prescribing medicines, and talking to you. You get what you need. I grew up with US military medical care, a take-your-place-in-line kind of system, but one that provides a high standard of care.

The Canadian system feels about the same as that. Medicine is practiced maybe more humbly in Canada; doctors here are often idealists and I appreciate that.

J.C.

Vancouver, BC Canada

An American Living in Canada Responds to Sally Pipes

Danny Williams, the Premier (Governor) of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador does not prefer American medicine. As is his right (and his choice) under the Canadian Medicare program, and under the advice of his Canadian Medicare-paid doctors, he preferred to go to Florida. And that’s not a bad idea when you’re in Newfoundland in the middle of winter. And if you have a vacation condo in Florida, as Premier Williams does, well duh!
  
Yes, some American hospitals (especially in Florida, Arizona, and California) are popular vacation destinations for about 40,000 Canadians a year, but guess what, Cuba is a lot cheaper, and will soon overtake them all! You can’t beat getting some good ol’ sun and surf in the middle of a Canadian winter! It’s pure dollar and sense wisdom.

A single-payer system in the Golden State is a wonderful idea that is only being considered because every other option simply does not make sense in the current economic climate. And Ms. Pipes may argue that government health care leads to waiting lists, rationing and lower quality of care. Yet, one thing you can’t argue with is Canada’s life expectancy rate which is almost 3 years longer than in the U.S.!

Oh yes, Canadian doctors heading south. A decade ago, a salary of $200,000 U.S. dollars was worth $320,000 Canadian dollars. Quite the premium. Very attractive. Today, however, $200,000 U.S. dollars is worth $210,000 Canadian dollars. There’s a heck of a lot fewer graduates going south. In fact, the word is that U.S. medical graduates are increasingly heading to the Great White North, fleeing the broken U.S. healthcare system, and many other U.S. professionals are joining them. There is now a waiting list for them to get in to Canada.

Most Canadians who are on waiting lists for healthcare are waiting for treatment of non life-threatening conditions, such as hip replacements and similar procedures. Yes, there are the serious cases. My brother in-law was on a list for a liver transplant for about four months. He received a liver, but his body rejected it. Within less than two weeks, he received another one. If your condition is life threatening, you shoot to the top of the list. This approach applies to the emergency room, as well. If you break your wrist, you may wait a few hours depending on the hospital and how many people are showing up. If you are having a heart attack, you will see a doctor within minutes.

Government spending on healthcare over the past 20 years in Canada has decreased, overall, creating major challenges for healthcare management and delivery of service, but nothing near what the U.S. has faced. In fact, the per capita cost of healthcare in Canada has been kept low (at about half the cost in the U.S.) precisely because it is publicly regulated and controlled. Private market driven healthcare costs are impossible to control centrally, regionally or nationally. This has been proven, quite spectacularly, in the U.S. 

Canadian doctors and healthcare professionals are generally more prudent in using healthcare resources. Waste not, want not. In the U.S., for example, malpractice fears alone have doctors sending far more patients for costly procedures and tests than are actually necessary.  As for pharmaceuticals, how many Americans are importing medicine from Canada over the internet? You just can’t beat generic drugs available at a fraction of the cost. You can’t beat good quality healthcare at a fraction of the cost. You can’t beat the fact that not one Canadian, not one, has ever lost their house or gone bankrupt because of healthcare bills.  

And you just can’t really argue with that, eh?

Larry Rousseau
American in Canada with dual American-Canadian citizenship
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Reference:
Sally Pipes opinion piece.
"Why Canadian premier seeks health care in U.S."
San Francisco Chronicle