Dear Rory,
Okay, for those who still check in here, a bit of news. This blog will remain up until the end of 2009, but it is my intention to take everything down at that time. I am planning to migrate from Vox to a Wordpress-based site at my own domain name, address TBA.
The plan right now is to re-post my Vancouver-based blog entries at the new address, but nothing else. Just so you know...
For awhile now, I've been planning to write a post on my experience with Canadian health care. I can't say I've been thrilled with the care here; overall, I feel that my medical interactions, while certainly professional, have been impersonal and somewhat unpleasant. However, a recent illness while in the States has made me appreciate what we have here a lot more.
You see, I was never without health care while living in Minnesota. But during our travels in the U.S. last week, I was indeed without insurance. And then I got really sick. In bed with a fever and chills, far from my country of residence, I found the greatest worry I had was whether or not I would eventually need to see a doctor. How much would that cost? Could we afford it? What if we couldn't?
The Canadian health care system is far from perfect, to be sure. I am currently on one of those much-hyped waiting lists (for an MRI to look at my back pain). But the truth is, had we been in Vancouver, I could have gone in to see a doctor for my symptoms without any problem. And when we finally arrived back home, that's exactly what I did. Thirty minutes of waiting at a walk-in clinic, and I was able to leave with a clear diagnosis (bronchitis) and not a penny less in my pocket. Thank you, universal health care!
It's incredible to me that the U.S. - so often called the greatest country in the world - does not give me, a lifetime citizen, that simple option. And when I think about people with severe and life-threatening health problems facing the same can-I-can't-I debate of whether they can afford to seek care, it absolutely breaks my heart.
So although I may find the Canadian health care flawed, I have to admit: it still kicks the ass of our current, broken system in the States. I really hope meaningful reform gets passed in the U.S., and soon. Yet even if it does, without single-payer on the table, you can bet we'll be looking at our travel insurance options for the next extended trip to MN.
I think my blog is turning into a recipe site. Oh well. I love goulash because I think there is a million different ways to make it. I feel that if it is to be a true goulash it must have noodles, hamburger and ketchup. Just my opinion.
