THIS is what Healthcare is all about ...

[NanceGreggs]

On March 30, my husband, Jeff – after suffering persistent backaches for several weeks – attended at the ER of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

He was seen by a doctor within thirty-five minutes of our arrival. We paid nothing for this visit.

Given the symptoms presented, the on-call doctor immediately scheduled Jeff for tests the next day. This included bloodwork, x-rays, CAT-scans and an MRI scan. We paid nothing for these tests, some of which are extremely expensive.

A few days later, when all test results were analyzed, Jeff was told he had a malignant tumour on his kidneys, and the cancer was rapidly spreading. We paid nothing for these consultations.

A week after his initial visit to the ER, Jeff was admitted to Mount Sinai’s cancer unit. He spent two weeks there, during which his condition was stabilized with medication. We paid nothing for this hospital stay.

Just before Jeff was released to come home, we were told that the medication he would require in the coming months would be in the $9,000-per-month range. A social worker met with him and helped him with the necessary paperwork, which they immediately faxed to the government agency that handles extraordinary pharmaceutical costs. We paid nothing for this assistance.

Within less than twenty-four hours, we received confirmation that all costs for Jeff’s medication would be covered one hundred percent. This coverage was directly paid for; we were issued a card to be presented to any pharmacist, so that medication was covered on-the-spot. We paid nothing out-of-pocket – we were not asked for any co-pay, nor were we expected to pay up-front and be reimbursed later. We paid nothing for a single prescription.

Upon Jeff’s release home, we were immediately contacted by a doctor who would be visiting on a regular basis. He visited three times a week to check on Jeff’s condition. We paid nothing for these visits.

In addition to the aforementioned visiting doctor, Jeff’s condition was monitored by a visiting nurse, who also attended three times a week. We paid nothing for these visits.

Jeff was only home for a day when we were visited by a social worker, who arranged for an occupational therapist and a personal support worker. The occupational therapist arranged for a walker, a wheelchair, grab-bars to assist Jeff getting in and out of bed, a cane, and a shower seat. We paid nothing for these assistive devices, which were delivered within twenty-four hours of their being requested.

The personal support worker came four times per week, to assist Jeff with bathing, shaving, grooming, etc. She stressed that she was available to assist me as well – offering to do dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and other household chores (all part of her job, she assured me) so that my time could be spent with my ailing husband. We paid nothing for her services.

As Jeff’s condition quickly deteriorated, his doctors arranged for him to be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital’s palliative care unit. The unit only serves twelve patients at a time – all given spacious private rooms with spectacular views of the city. Once admitted, Jeff had round-the-clock care from doctors and nurses. We paid nothing for this extraordinary care.

In the lead-up to the passage of Obamacare, Jeff and I were appalled by the blatant misrepresentation of the Canadian healthcare system by Republicans – who spouted “facts” in the MSM that were ludicrous, and went unchallenged by the “journalists” who apparently don’t know how to use Google in order to get the facts straight.

Our healthcare system is paid for through our taxes – which are still lower than most of my relatives in the US pay per annum. Despite the blatant lies told by the GOP about universal healthcare in Canada, our doctors are not government employees – nor do they have to ask the permission of a gov’t bureaucrat before treating a patient, dispensing meds, or recommending treatment. There is no “eighteen-month wait” for a doctor’s visit (which I heard endlessly from Republicans speaking on the topic), nor are there any restrictions placed on any healthcare practitioner that would delay care, immediate or long-term.

Obamacare was a foot-in-the-door to this kind of healthcare for all Americans. Now that this door has been wedged open, it is up to ALL of you to keep fighting the good fight towards the implementation of universal healthcare for ALL citizens.

Hound your representatives, haunt the offices of your senators and congressmen, flood their phone lines, inboxes and fax machines with DEMANDS for a system that has been proven to work in every other industrialized nation on the planet.

And the next time you see a Republican appearing on what passes for the news media, spewing nonsense about how universal healthcare systems do not work, feel free to cut-and-paste this post and send it to them, while demanding an explanation as to why our present “journalists” are (a) so pitifully ill-informed, (b) are too fucking stupid to investigate the facts of the matter, and (c) believe it is anything less than a complete abandonment of moral scruples and journalistic principles to allow know-nothing GOPers to go unchallenged when they spout obvious, easily-debunked lies.

As I type this, there are thousands of Canadian citizens attending at doctors’ offices and ERs across the country. Their complaints range from a sudden sore throat to a persistent cough, from a mild rash to a suspicious skin condition, from a niggling discomfort in the abdomen to severe pain overall. And they will ALL be taken care of; they will ALL be treated for what ails them, and NOT ONE OF THEM will be concerned with the cost of whatever treatment they require, because those costs are irrelevant.

THIS is what universal healthcare is all about. THIS is worth fighting for. And such a system will never be implemented without your unwavering commitment to ensuring that it is.

If ever a fight was necessary to be fought, THIS is the fight. Never give up, and never give in.

[AuntPatsy]

1. k & R

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you, my dear Nance, for this great post.

I cannot tell you how important your message is.

You already know.

Blessings on you for this information!

K&R

[yardwork]

3. Thank you for posting this. I am very sorry for your loss.

[NanceGreggs]

11. Thank you, yardwork.

My personal loss is immense - but it is something I personally have to deal with.

My mission now is to make sure that the loss of a loved one is not accompanied by the loss of a home, or a lifetime of savings. Being sick is something to be dealt with by a community, not something to be dismissed as worthy of punishment.

Universal healthcare is so easily implemented, and its cost negligible when spread out over an entire population.

There is NO excuse for NOT ensuring that is is put in place for everyone.

[freshwest]

27. I've written on the first thread. This one speaks volumes of what has impoverished myself and others

and you said it so well.

I've talked with many in the modern countries who did not go through what we live and die in here. My friend in Norway was shocked when she saw the movie SICKO. She said, 'Your government must hate the American people.'

It sure feels that way. Many of us instead of dealing with our grief are being punished and have to deal with the prospects of a gruesome death and/ or seeing our love ones impoverished.

Even the ACA's clause about the pre-existing conditions would have saved lives in my family. There is no substitute for the family one loses to this system, nor the disability.

I am very glad to have had the chance to meet and read your words online, Nance. They mean a lot to us.

[Ilsa]

4. Kicking.

Thank you for taking the time to post.

[NYC_SKP]

5. K/R nt

[sheshe2]

6. Thank you for posting this, Nance.

It is so important, universal healthcare works. A proven fact. You did it even in the pain of your loss. Thank you.

My thoughts are with you and yours.

Hugs to you.

[Iliyah]

7. Thank you, and the fight continues for universal healthcare here in the USA!

[corkhead]

8. thank you for taking the time to share this point with us

we have an uphill battle for sure.

[mountain grammy]

9. Thank you, thank you!

Yes, this is what healthcare is all about. I've bookmarked and will be cutting and pasting your post often.

Human beings should be treated like, well, human beings. America has yet to learn that.

I wish you well in this difficult time. Life manages to go on, even when we're not on board.

[missingthebigdog]

10. Thank you for taking the time to post this.

There are many people, even here on DU, who don't get it.

ACA is not universal health care, but it is exponentially better than what we had before. We just have to keep pushing to make it better.

I am terribly sorry for your loss. Peace be with you.

[KMOD]

12. This is the fight, and it is not over.

We finally have our foot in the door.

We need to press on.

[passiveporcupine]

13. Thank you Nance. And for wanting to share this now.

Last edited Tue May 26, 2015, 02:17 PM - Edit history (1)

We need a plan like yours.

I know you went through a lot recently and my heart goes out to you...and I'm just so happy that you had a seamless system designed to help you through this tough time, when "money" should not be hanging over your shoulder.

[Mira]

14. Thank you Nance

for an invaluable post. So much misinformation is disseminated in order to confuse the populace and instill fear. All in order to further the system of healthcare for profit.
I live in the South. And on my bumper it says: "Jesus did not heal for Profit". I have not had a single problem driving around sporting that statement. The facts are that a good start of our universal healthcare has gotten a foot hold. "Obamacare" has begun to help pull us out of being so abysmally behind other Western developed nations. It cannot legally be undone any more said the Supremes and no 40 plus attempts have brought the Republicans the desired recall, while they could not present an alternative.
People like yourself shining the light on the lies and presenting the truth helps move us along and all of this allows us to feel empowered, helped, heard and understood as a people with grave health care insufficiencies.
Thanks again, for this and your other post. I think of you almost hourly at the moment since my own grief rolls over to gratitude for not being able to really imagine yours.
Carry on and be well!

[WillyT]

15. Thanks Nance... Huge K & R !!!

[Cha]

16. I'm so grateful that you and Jeff didn't have to worry about

the bills when dealing everything else, Nance.

That's one very important reason why President Obama wanted Affordable Health Care for our Country.. so those who were too poor to get health insurance or had pre-existing conditions wouldn't have to stress out about going into bankruptcy trying to get well. Or anyone else for that matter.

"Obamacare was a foot-in-the-door to this kind of healthcare for all Americans. Now that this door has been wedged open, it is up to ALL of you to keep fighting the good fight towards the implementation of universal healthcare for ALL citizens."

Thank you, Nance, for encouraging people to keep after expanding the foundation that the President has built.

[FailureToCommunicate]

17. Your fortitude in the face of immense loss is astonishing.

I am so sorry for your loss of your dear JeffR.

Thank you for reminding us of the difficult but necessary fight ahead.

[Cha]

102. Absolutely! Well said, FailureToCommicate~

[FailureToCommunicate]

139. Life can be SO unfair. We MUST surround evil, or horrible luck, with support for each other.

(Thanks for all you do, Cha)



-F2C

[Cha]

140. Indeed!

Mahalo to you, F2C!

[panader0]

18. "Never give up, and never give in."

You are an example of this advice. Thanks Nance....

[brer cat]

19. Thank you, Nance.

If we are not willing to continue this fight, we are not democrats.

My deepest sympathy for your loss.

[SheilaT]

20. Quite frankly, for at least ten years I've been amazed

that anyone who lives in a country with universal health care coverage would ever consider moving to the United States.

[calimary]

21. Can't recommend this post strongly enough!!!!

It's a human right, dammit! Health care! It's a HUMAN RIGHT!!!

Thank you for posting this, dear Nance! My deepest condolences and sympathy for the loss of Jeff. He and his work here were appreciated by multitudes of DUers! It's a loss for us all. We mourn him at your side.

[ROFF]

22. As a Canadian

the most common cost complaint that I hear is that parking is not free.

My mother (84 at the time ) complained that she had difficulty breathing through her nose. I took her to her family doctor on a Tuesday. He sent her to a specialist the next day. The specialist sent her to the Cancer Center on Friday of the same week to get a lead mask made for her radiation treatments that started the following Wednesday. Eight days from seeing her family doctor to her first treatment. She is 93 now.

[madamesilverspurs]

23. Human lives matter.

And out of the darkness of your grief you still shine light on that reality.

Thank you.

[Paka]

24. Thank you so much for this posting.

In spite of your loss you are thinking of others. Those of us who have traveled to countries with single-payer knew the GOP were lying during the health care discussions. I have been treated under health care in single-payer countries and know what it is like to feel free to go to the doctor and not worry about costs. It is tragic that so many in the US are brainwashed to the extent they are so vehemently against it.

[akbacchus_BC]

53. Canadian health care is the best!

We may moan and complain if if takes six months to see a specialist, but the costs incurred is unbelievable and we are covered.

You would think that a country like the US with so many millions of people, the cost of health care could be less. We are lucky but I do not know if you remember that when Campbell got into power in BC, he wanted to emulate the US system regarding health care!

[Rolando]

25. And you have written

it all so beautifully. I thank you.

[MADem]

26. Nance, what a beautiful post. Selfless, practical, pragmatic, strong.

You are simply one of the most amazing people I've ever encountered online.

[bullwinkle428]

28. K&R. It's very telling that even the most hardcore right-wingers aren't

really even lifting a finger to dismantle the wonderful system that exists in Canada.

[MrMickeysMom]

29. Thank you, NanceGreggs...

What a testament to present your words to many people, given how we've gotten no where in the U.S. over the 40 years I've been a licensed practitioner. No one could be saying better than you have.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

No, I will never give up.

MMM

[Unknown Beatle]

30. Upchuck Toad

"demanding an explanation as to why our present “journalists” are (a) so pitifully ill-informed, (b) are too fucking stupid to investigate the facts of the matter, and (c) believe it is anything less than a complete abandonment of moral scruples and journalistic principles to allow know-nothing GOPers to go unchallenged when they spout obvious, easily-debunked lies."


Useless little snot.

[Gothmog]

31. Your husband got far better care than here in the US

[Doctor_J]

32. we are farther than we've ever been from uhc, thanks in large part to Obamacare, and

the candidate in your avatar has declared that she is against uhc. So I am happy that you live somewhere that has healthcare, but wonder why you support Obama and Clinton, who care more about the health of insurance executives than Americans.

[Hekate]

114. Not true on all counts. Give it a rest.

[SmittynMo]

33. Quite an impressive post.

I have read a lot of items on national healthcare over the years, but never at this degree. What a great, informative post. When the hell are we going to wake up? This needs to go viral. And the good news is that Bernie supports this 100%.

Great post.

Thanks

[akbacchus_BC]

34. Dear Nance, Am so sorry for your loss.

My heartfelt condolences.

What you write is true about Canadian health care. It may take a while to see a specialist, but it is all covered. Even if you go overseas, you are covered, depending on your coverage, you get reimbursed.

Please hang in there and am glad you are here posting.

With deepest condolences and best regards,
akbacchus_BC

[Solly Mack]

35. ...

K&R

[DesertFlower]

36. i'm nance's sister and was in toronto

in 81 when nance's daughter was born. the hospital was beautiful.

i'm on medicare and don't be fooled by it. it only covers about 80% of the bills and you pay for medicare part B. you need a supplemental policy and those policies can be quite expensive especially if you want an annual out of pocket maximum. i have friends (a couple) who pay over $700 a month for medicare and their supplemental policies -- about $10 a month less than they paid when they had coverage through her employer.

i lost my husband 3 years ago to a brain tumor. he worked for IBM and our insurance policy had a maximum $6,000 per year per person. he passed 3 months after his diagnosis and the bills were in the millions. always check your maximum out of pocket.

like nance said "never give up".

[sheshe2]

41. Dessert Flower

So very sorry for your loss. I know how it hurts.

Love Nance. Please give her a hug from me.

[DesertFlower]

44. thank you. the weird thing is

it was the same time frame as jeff. my husband will be gone 3 years on the 27th of this month. going through this with nance was like re-living it.

my heart is breaking for her.

[sheshe2]

47. My heart breaks for you both. I am so sorry for your loss, DesertFlower.

I lost two recently. My dad and BIL.

The pain.

Bless you, such a sad loss. I am there with you both with love and hugs.

No words can take the pain away. I love Nance's strength to come here and post about health care that Jeff received. In the end it may help us to get the universal healthcare we need.

[DesertFlower]

51. sorry for your loss.

they say it gets easier but i'm still hurting.

[sheshe2]

57. Yes, they say it gets easier....

I am still waiting as well. I guess it just takes time. A lot of time.

Thanks DesertFlower

[akbacchus_BC]

60. It never gets better She!

It gets worst as everyday you are reminded of the loved one you lost. Am dealing with that and am hoping it will get better.
Eventually, it will get better I hope.

[sheshe2]

91. Hugs to you.

[treestar]

82. oh my

[lovemydog]

42. Yes. Never give up.

History, struggle, is part of the revolutionary spirit.

We must all keep working toward universal healthcare.

We have the wealth in the USA for it.

Never give up.

[JDPriestly]

37. K&R.

[Luminous Animal]

38. So what you are saying is Obama care is a pig in a poke.

[akbacchus_BC]

43. She is not saying that. She is doing a comparison

of health care in the US as opposed to Canada.

Let her be, she is already stessed out with the passing of her husband.

[Luminous Animal]

54. She is making a comparison between our piss poor healthcare system and her stellar one.

And I champion that, through her grief… she is ploying through and telling us that we have been sold short.

And that is really cool.

[akbacchus_BC]

58. No, that is not her intention.

I have never seen Nance do that. Am Canadian too and I can speak for our health care system.

Let me give you an example, I was having feet problems, went to a Podiatrist, he recommended that I needed orthotics along with special stockings. Mind you, I had never seen orthotics before and he told me they are labelled in case I needed to use them for another shoe. Lo and behold, the orthotics were labelled incorrectly and I was wearing them wrong.

In the end I started having ankle problems, then knee problems and eventually hip problems, I ended up in a wheelchair! One day my feet were hurting so much, I took the orthotics out and put them on the floor by my desk. A friend came by and asked, is that how you wear your orthotics and I said yes, she said no, you are wearing them incorrectly. That is when I took them to my Rheumatologist and she referred me to a different specialist, took six months to see them and was told that the Podiatrist was trying to heal my problem too quickly. Saw the Podiatrist and told him what the specialist said, he could not believe his eyes that the orthotics were labelled incorrectly and ordered a new pair. Thing is, we Canadians are stupid, we do not sue!

[madamesilverspurs]

76. Whatever.

You choose a lousy time to be assholish.

[akbacchus_BC]

90. I had a lot of respect for you on here!

Always delightful and progressive and now you calling me assholish! Wow, you do have double standards on here!

[madamesilverspurs]

97. We all make mistakes.

And picking a fight with someone who is grieving is a big one. There's a time and place for everything, this is totally the wrong time for creating contention. No double standard about it.

[ms liberty]

105. I think you may have responded to the wrong post, here?

It certainly reads that way. Not criticizing, just an FYI.

[akbacchus_BC]

146. She did, thanks for pointing that out.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

153. Hello. The US healthcare system is crippled by Republicans. nt

[sheshe2]

50. LA.

Please don't do this. Not now.

Please.

Let her grieve.

[akbacchus_BC]

63. She, I second your post to LA.

Not now or anytime!

[sheshe2]

70. akbacchus.

I have had conversations with LA before. No, we have never agreed on much of anything.

Yet.

Not saying what, yet she is going through things as well. I wish she had not said what she did, that is why I asked her politely to not do it here and now. It is not the place and it sure isn't the time.

This is Nance's time to grieve.

Thank you for your support.

[akbacchus_BC]

73. She, you will always have my support.

I love Nance and I can understand the grief she is going through. Some say if you are grieving, you do not post on here. I commend Nance to get the hurt out. I was not so brave to share my loss on here!

[sheshe2]

88. I shared part of mine here. With my dad passing.

People were so kind to me here. They were. Then just over a week later we lost another, my BIL. No that one I kept to myself.

So sorry that Nance is getting shit here. How anyone could be ugly in the face of someones grief is so very sad.

I so thank you for taking my back.

[NanceGreggs]

52. What I AM saying ...

... is what I DID say. I think I've been pretty clear.

And what I DID say is not remotely akin to Obamacare being "a pig in a poke".

If some people put as much effort into demanding universal healthcare as they put into posting anti-Obamacare rhetoric on websites, this battle would be a lot closer to being won.

[Luminous Animal]

65. Happy that your husband got the care that he needed. Extremely sorry that you lost

the love of your life. Really and truly. I can't even imagine losing my Tim. And I lived with my mom losing her Tom when she they were 38 years old.

What you described is what the majority of U.S. citizens want. And here is what Obama advocated for in 2007

Now is the time to push those boundaries once more. We have come so far in the debate on health care in this country, but now we must finally answer the call first issued by Truman, advanced by Johnson, and fought for by so many leaders and Americans throughout the last century. The time has come for universal health care in America. And I look forward to working with all of you to meet this challenge in the weeks and months to come. Thank you.

http://obamaspeeches.com/097-The-Time-Has-Come-for-Universal-Health-Care-Obama-Speech.htm

And you, in your grief champion a system of heath care that our candidate advocated for in 2007. What we got was a pig in a poke.

[NanceGreggs]

68. What you got ...

... is what you insist on seeing it as.

No matter what, it was always going to be what you insist on seeing it as.

It's just that simple.

[Cha]

99. I freaking knew someone would get on this thread

and whine about "Obamacare".

I had to look up "pig in poke".. lol, what an ignorant thing to say.

"If some people put as much effort into demanding universal healthcare as they put into posting anti-Obamacare rhetoric on websites, this battle would be a lot closer to being won."

I thought of that when I read your OP.

[steve2470]

121. I was afraid of that too

and, voila, it happened. Mahalo Cha, all the best to you and your family!

[Cha]

136. "Happy With ObamaCare? Millions Respond With A ‘Yes!’"

"The best study done so far shows people with Obamacare plans like their plans"

"Most Obamacare  enrollees are pretty happy with their coverage, a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows.

This KFF study is among the first to get beyond basic sign-up numbers and try to measure: do people buying Obamacare actually like what they get?

While there are some bumps in the road, the answer, generally, seems to be yes.

Here are five things we now know about what Obamacare enrollees think about their plans."

Charts at links..
http://www.vox.com/2015/5/21/8631863/obamacare-coverage-satisfaction-enrollees

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/26/happy-with-obamacare-millions-respond-with-a-yes/

I'm good.. hope you and your family are doing well, Steve!

[Hekate]

112. Where is the "I will do it for you all by myself" in "Yes WE can"?

Give it a rest, LA

[lovemydog]

39. Yes, this is what universal healthcare is all about.

Eyes on the prize.

Take care NanceGreggs.

[akbacchus_BC]

46. Only thing is, the US is more interested in

warmongering instead of looking after its own people! The US is so wealthy, with white collar crimes going sideways, it is unbelievable.

[WheelWalker]

40. Right. On.

[daleanime]

45. K&R....

[MaggieD]

48. Thanks - excellent post!!

[TexasBushwhacker]

49. I had a friend from Edmonton back in the '90s

He had a rare form of cancer in one of his adtenal glands. Since it was a rare cancer, there were few surgeons with experience in removing it. It turned out that the surgeon with the most experiance was in Los Angeles. There wasn't really a viable alternative in Canada. So the Canadian Health Service paid for him to travel to Los Angeles, get the surgery and stay there until he was cleared for travel. His cancer was one of those that was considered treatable, but not curable. He was td he would probably die with 2 years, but he lived 7. Even though he would eventually die from it, the Canadia system paid for everything. He was a filmmaker and actually made 2 documentaries about his journey.

My condolences to you.

[Romulox]

55. Obamacare enshrined private, for-profit healthcare into our law, probably forever.

It will be fought for by the interested parties tooth and nail, lobbied for with taxpayer dollars no less. The corporate lobbyists will write any amendments to Obamacare, just like they wrote the core bill. We will never have what you have in Canada as a result.

[NanceGreggs]

61. Your ignorance of the facts ...

... is only surpassed by your desire to complain about what can't be, instead of fighting for what could be, should be - and WILL be.

Those who stand on the sidelines and whine are part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.

[Romulox]

64. Obamacare is just as I described. Written by corporate lobbyists.

there's simply no reason to believe that the insurance industry lobbyists who wouldn't allow a vote on a public option in the first place will ever allow one in the future. They wrote the bill, after all. They'll write any amendments, too.

[NanceGreggs]

66. What ev. n/t

[Romulox]

69. Just understand that what you described isn't here, and isn't coming in time for many of our loved

ones, who are also in need. They are not abstractions, but people who need care. Now.

[akbacchus_BC]

71. Why are you attacking her? Go fight for

what you think is right!

Obamacare was a start, now you all have to fight for what you want, single payer, your population is enough to warrant that. Martin Luther King did not sit on the sidelines, he got killed for what he believed in!

[Romulox]

74. Our population wanted single payer last time. We didn't get it. Corporate $$$ prevailed. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

78. I understand that, but you do not need to take out your frustration on fellow DUers!

Every one of us have a sad tale to say but we try not to, at least for me, I try to enjoy your company and your views.

[Romulox]

79. OK. You're right. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

83. Am so sorry if I came across as combative!

I do not know you and you do not know me. Sometimes, you have to fight for your rights!

[Romulox]

85. No, I appreciate your comments. Thanks. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

89. Now you are making me feel sad. Are you ok?

[akbacchus_BC]

92. Are you there? I know it is late! Same for me.

If I do not hear from you, take care and bye for now.

Best regards

[Romulox]

93. I'm ok. Thanks! nt

[akbacchus_BC]

94. Thanks for responding. Will you be on here for a while?

It's ok, if you need to go!

[treestar]

150. This ^^^^^^^^^

The amount of time complaining that Obamacare isn't enough - all that energy might have gone into the midterm elections.

[questionseverything]

129. i hope you are wrong

i fear you are correct but universal healthcare is why i support BERNIE

we have one candidate that is decent enough to care about ALL OF US

so theoretically we still have a chance

[Rosa Luxemburg]

56. If the Canadians can do it so can we

Right wingers and their corporations strangle this country. They will everything they can to stop a single payer system. The cost of healthcare in the USA is far too high - it doesn't need to be. Just thing all the trillions of dollars that went into to idiotic invasion and occupation of Iraq could have been used for healthcare.

[akbacchus_BC]

59. Of course the US can have single payer!

It is all about numbers that can get covered, but the corporations rule in the US. For instance, a company with 35 employees cannot be covered for glasses, like mine. But a company with over 100 people can negotiate coverage for glasses, lens, etc. More numbers in employees have a better advantage to get more coverage.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

134. If it were spelled out to people

the truth. People don't understand what's going on.

[bobGandolf]

62. Yeah, we wouldn't want copy that...................................n/t

[eridani]

67. For the time being, we will have to fight at the state level

I'm so glad that Jeff got what he needed, and I want it for Americans too.

http://www.pnhp.org/stateactions/

[Ghost in the Machine]

72. Nance, I am so sorry to hear about Jeff... he was a great person who brought joy to everyone here

My 77 year old father just had a tumor removed from under his left arm. I heard my mom say that they owe the surgeon over $1500 after insurance.

A week later, my 73 year old mother wound up in the hospital from a ruptured intestine from either diverticulitis or diverticulosis ( I forget which one ). 6 days in the hospital at $300/day... insurance doesn't kick in until after 7 days. She is home now, on antibiotics, and hoping she wont have to have surgery.

Our "healthcare" system here sucks!

Again, I am so sorry for your loss

Peace within, Peace between, Peace among...

Ghost

[akbacchus_BC]

75. Dear Ghost, thanks for sharing and I hope you will be ok!

[Ghost in the Machine]

80. Thank you, akbacchus_BC...

I'm worried about my parents and have been trying to do as much as I can to help them, even though I am disabled myself. I'm lucky in the fact that they only live 2 houses down the street from me so it easier to check on them. I stayed there with my dad while mom was in the hospital so I could drive him to see her, and to go to his follow-up appointments with the surgeon and oncologist. He is 95% deaf so my mom is always with him so she can tell him what the doctors said. I had to go to be his ears...

So far, everything is looking good though..

Peace,

Ghost

[akbacchus_BC]

86. Dear Ghost, thank you so much for taking the time to respond

to me. If I can help in anyway, please let me know. I can kick in a few dollars if that will help. You have not asked but the offer is there!

Glad to hear all is well with your parents and you.

Best always,
Anne

[Ghost in the Machine]

95. No problem at all!

Thank you so much for your kind offer, it touched my heart, but we will be ok financially. Our family is very close knit and we take care of each other all the time. It is the foundation of our family, but it is very heart-warming to see the random acts of kindness from strangers.

I wish all the best that the world has to offer for you and yours..

Peace,

Ghost

[steve2470]

77. excellent post, Nance

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[treestar]

81. +1

And as a self employed in my mid fifties, Obamacare has been great. Reasonable premium based on my earnings for great coverage. Single payer would be great to have and maybe we will have it someday.

[DesertFlower]

96. do obamacare policies

have an out of pocket max? i think they do but i don't know anyone who has it.

[secondwind]

84. This made me cry.... thank you so much, Nance, and I am so sorry for your loss... From the

little I know of you (we're FB friends, I'm the one with the "beautiful smile", he just HAD to be larger than life, and I'm so glad his illness was brief and that you and he were so well taken care of. I hope we here in this country can look forward to the same treatment......... some day.

[LuckyLib]

87. The two key words in your post are "health" and "care" - that's what it's all about.

You are so right -- "Obamacare was a foot-in-the-door to this kind of healthcare for all Americans. Now that this door has been wedged open, it is up to ALL of you to keep fighting the good fight towards the implementation of universal healthcare for ALL citizens."

Thanks for a very informative post, NG.

[pansypoo53219]

98. i have a retired railway epal who lives in denmark. i know other danes AND I HAVE BEEN THERE TWICE.

amerikans are bloody stupid. shit. the care arne gets and the benies he gets from SOCIALISM. the GOP has brainwashed america. i keep telling my moderate GOP peal. socialism is NOT COMMUNISM!

[Ron Green]

100. Thanks for your humanity, for sharing the story,

and for telling health care like it is. Groups all over the country are working to make it right: mine is http://mvhca.org.

I know, from my own care through the VA, that a single-payer system is what works for both patient and provider.

And there's ONE presidential candidate who unequivocally supports this.

[BumRushDaShow]

101. Big K&R

And something that should be a "phase 2" here in the U.S. to start migrating to.

[SunSeeker]

103. Powerful post. Thank you. nt

[LittleGirl]

104. Bookmarked.

And Nance...Thanks so much for your informative post. This is how 'health care' should be everywhere, no matter your station in life. Thanks for proving that Canada has excellent care for those that need it and NOW. I'm so very sorry for your loss. If I lost my spouse/partner, I'd be a mess. Stay strong and cyber hug.

[B Calm]

106. We should have got Medicare for all. Blows me away why people vote Republican!

[mnhtnbb]

107. Nance, thanks for taking the time to spell this out for people.

I hope you don't mind if I share it.

I am so, so sorry that your beloved Jeff is gone. I cannot imagine having to endure such a loss
and also be saddled with thousands and thousands of dollars in medical bills.

[Dont call me Shirley]

108. Thank you Nance. I'm sorry for your loss.

I have briefly posted about what it is like to get sick without health insurance in the United States. Someday I will write an OP about my own horror story. I have called and written my Reps and will continue to do so until our health system is fair for all.

Jeff... I'm so sorry for your suffering, it's hard.

[kchamberlin25]

109. I know I'm not alone but

I went to urgent care in our local hospital for a painful ear infection yesterday.

I have (rather inadequate) health insurance.

My copay for five minutes with a physician's assistant:

$150

[allan01]

110. bravo

if it wasnt for medical ( medicaid to the rest of u ) id be dead , or bankrupt .socialisim. bah humbug. these idiots who cry " socialisim dont know what they are talking about . bah humbug. thanks for the timely post. ive been by amulance to our local er several times and on the hospital floor once and not a single bill.
http://politicalfun.blogspot.com/2011/02/slowpoke-freedom-to-be-screwed.html
im glad that the people in the op havnt had to go through crushing medical debits .

[Overseas]

111. K&R. Yes please! Universal healthcare is what I want my taxes to support first.

Maybe we will only be able to spend twice as much on the military as all other countries combined after we pay for universal healthcare, but that's what I want.

http://www.janes.com/article/40083/analysis-us-no-longer-spends-more-on-defense-than-next-10-biggest-countries-combined

[Hekate]

113. Kicked, Recced, Bookmarked, and thank you with hugs

I am so sorry for your loss. You and Jeff are DU treasures.

[Bobbie Jo]

115. K&R

[mnhtnbb]

116. Nance, I just sent this piece to Physicians for a National Health Program

here in the U.S. My husband (an MD) has been a member of it for years.

http://www.pnhp.org/

[Cleita]

117. So sorry for your loss. What you didn't mention was that you weren't subject to the

additional stress of worrying how you were going to pay for this and wandering through a quagmire of what is out there to figure out how to do it. God bless Canada for having the compassion, common sense and legislators to accomplish this.

Thank you for taking the time in your grief to explain this to us from someone who actually has experienced the Canadian health care system. From your key board to our idiots in Congress and in the press. God love you.

[JEB]

118. K&R

Thank you for the exceptional post.

[Diclotican]

119. NanceGreggs

NanceGreggs

How great is not that - even if you lost your Jeff - you was not going broke in the process.. Universal health Care IS better than for profit health-care - who many in the US still believe is the best option. I have been horrified about some of the stories I have been reading here in DU and other places - about how horrible it can be - if you do not have the money to pay - or the insurance is doing it best to not keep their deal of the bargain - when you have paid into medical help for years - maybe decades...


I just hope you will go on - without to much pain for the loss in your life - I wish you the best.. for what it is worth.

And one day, in not to far into the future - maybe US even have access to universal Health Care - after all - the ones who is most dead against it - is more or less dying off by the day - and it looks like the younger ones is more into alternative things - like support for Universal Health Care - who I think US should have had - as one of the first nations in the world - not as dead last..

Diclotican

[BlueMTexpat]

120. Thank you so much for posting this.

I am so sorry for your loss. JeffR was a VERY special person to us all.

During this horrible period, the last thing that either of you needed was to be stressed out by health care costs. I am so glad for you that you live in a civilized country. That doesn't help you miss JeffR any less, I know. But it at least spared the extra grief and anxiety that facing a mountain of medical debt would have brought.

My own husband and I had a recent spate of health scares in the US: breast cancer for me and a triple bypass for him. While I generally reside abroad and I must pay (a reasonable premium) for private insurance there, I also pay Medicare & supplement premiums, so all US-based medical costs were either covered under Medicare or reimbursed by our supplemental coverage. We had excellent care and treatment in the US, no waiting periods, and no issues with coverage whatsoever. I am very happy to say that we are both healthy today.

So yes, in the US, it is possible to have access to healthcare that is somewhat comparable to Canada's with Medicare. Unfortunately, one must be 65 for coverage (you are likely younger, my dear). IMO, Medicare should simply have been extended to all Americans instead of our legislators giving in to insurance companies. I fault Rahm Emanuel and his ilk most grievously for the public option's never even being on the table. But at least Obamacare is an improvement over the former disastrous situation. While I have NO hope for what passes for MSM in the US and find today's GOP to be, for the most part, terminally unreasonable, I will always and forever have a hard time forgiving certain Dems for a) not standing up to the lies and b) running away from Obama & Obamacare.

Medicare is a success and that is exactly why RW GOPers and their friends want to dismantle it. It will literally have to be done over my dead body. I will never give in otherwise. None of us should.

[MadDAsHell]

122. "Obamacare was a foot-in-the-door to this kind of healthcare for all Americans"...

While I would love to believe this were true, I fail to see the logic.

We insisted on passing a law that doubled down and further entrenched the current "employer-provided health insurance" system by actually fining and penalizing employers who don't support this archaic model, and yet that is somehow moving us towards Canada's health system?

That seems about as logical as waging war to create peace.

[area51]

144. +1

GingrichCare ensures that we all have the responsibility to buy insurance from for-profit, lightly regulated agencies, whose first and last allegiance is to their board of directors and stockholders, with no chance of buying insurance from a govt. option. It has no direct way of morphing into single-payer.

[Capt. Obvious]

123. How are you able to post this?

You currently have 6 hidden posts

[steve2470]

124. Skinner gave her a reprieve, so to speak, which was a great thing to do imho nt

[Capt. Obvious]

125. Reprieve or glitch?

Account status: Active but temporarily unable to post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=178734

[steve2470]

126. somewhere Nance said it was a reprieve, don't have the link handy nt

[NanceGreggs]

133. Skinner graciously re-instated my posting privileges ...

... so that I could respond to the many posts and PMs offering condolences on my husband's passing.

If his generosity of spirit somehow offends you, you can take it up with him.

[Capt. Obvious]

148. My condolences

[akbacchus_BC]

145. Because you do not own DU, that is why!

Any other questions? You can alert if you want! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

[Capt. Obvious]

149. Are you Skinner's alter?

You can alert if you want! ############

[Sheepshank]

127. Born & raised in the UK and spending my teens in Australia, I had no idea there was any other way

unilt I came to the USA.

Of course there were plenty of those that had marvelous health insurance, but non of it compared to the simplicity of health care in the countries where I lived. It is that simplicity that some overlook. When one is extremely ill, working for insurance, working to afford co-pays and deductables and out of pocket maxes does little to help the patient concentrate on the healing. The stress, the worry are an additional toll that a very ill person and the family does not need. They need their full attention on nutrition, self healing properties of quiet, reduced stress, tranquility and if possible physical and mental therapy.

[Raster]

128. Ah, Nance, my deepest sympathies. Thank you for sharing.

It's good to be reading you again. Bless your heart.

[catrose]

130. In tears

I'm so glad that with all your grief, at least you didn't have to fear bankruptcy too.

[LiberalLovinLug]

131. My deepest condolences to you Nance

Thankyou for this. It can't have been easy, even though writing comes so naturally for you.

We don't always agree, and thats ok. But this hits home. As a Canadian myself, I was so appalled and frustrated watching established American news networks like CNN simply ignoring Canada's system, or having on guests that demonized it while the debate was still going on. I just wanted my American friends, DUers and everyone else, to enjoy the comfort and non-stress of having a universal healthcare system too. I was waiting for the journalistic investigation, for some reporters to come up to our country and check it out and give a report, because I knew that that would be enough. I guess they also knew that would happen, thus not taking the trouble to travel up a few miles to visit their northern neighbour.

The only American that traveled up to check it out was Michael Moore who recorded it as part of his documentary, Sicko. So CNN had him on once....BUT...of course, had to have on an "expert" doctor in their own corporate toady Sanjay Gupta to counter Moore and argue how expensive and unworkable Single Payer would be for the US. It was absolutely disgusting watching it.

Anyways, I feel for you all. Keep up the fight. There is a hope, as long as Net Neutrality remains, that eventually the real information will leak through the American consciousness, and leapfrog over the corporate propaganda.

[Ruby the Liberal]

132. Thank you - awesome post

If only we would spend a fraction of our tax revenues on health care as opposed to weapons and war, we just MIGHT someday enter the realm of insanity. The graft at the VA only makes the situation that much worse.

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your experiences on this. It was very powerful.

[NanceGreggs]

135. Why I posted this OP ...

I am trying to channel my personal grief into something positive – and getting the word out there about how universal healthcare can and does work is part of that effort.

It’s not true that all Americans want this type of healthcare system. Many don’t – and that’s because they have been spoon-fed myths, misinformation, and out-and-out lies for decades by interested parties who profit from the illnesses of their fellow citizens.

Those myths include:

Canadian doctors are gov’t employees. Canadian doctors work in hospitals, have private practices or walk-in clinics, etc. They have no more connection to the gov’t than American doctors.

Canadian doctors have to get permission from the gov’t before treating their patients. The gov’t doesn’t even know I’ve seen a doctor until he/she bills the gov’t for services rendered after-the-fact. The only involvement the gov’t has in my medical care is paying the bills generated by that care.

Canadian income taxes are sky-high as a result of providing healthcare to all. My taxes are on a par with, or lower than, my US counterparts in the same income bracket. My tax contribution to the healthcare system amounts to a few hundred dollars per year.

Under the Canadian system, the gov’t assigns you a doctor. I am free to see any family practitioner of my choosing. If I require a specialist, any GP can refer me to any specialist he/she thinks appropriate. There are no restrictions on who I can be referred to for specialized care.

Canadians regularly flock to the US for speedier treatment. This myth is downright laughable – and yet it persists.

Some of the obvious advantages to our healthcare system …

Doctors’ receivables are guaranteed; the gov’t covers their every bill. Doctors do not have to waste their time with complicated insurance forms, or figuring out what coverage is available via different insurance plans. They treat a patient, bill the gov’t, and receive payment. End of story. I recently read that up to one-third of a US doctor’s practice is devoted to (wasted on) paperwork, and many doctors have to write-off payments due as bad debt, because they refused to turn away patients who simply can’t afford to pay.

Available services (as I have outlined in my OP) are not a matter of seeking out help. ALL of the services Jeff and I were able to avail ourselves of were the result of those services contacting us. Jeff’s after-hospital homecare was arranged within days of his diagnosis. Necessary applications were already filled-out – all we had to do was sign them.

Since Jeff’s passing, I have been contacted by other gov’t healthcare-related agencies offering assistance to myself and my family – e.g. bereavement counseling via group or one-on-one sessions – all free of charge. Their opening line is always the same: “Are you okay? What do you need? How can we help?”

As Jeff and I often discussed from the outset, we were never alone. We were reminded every day that an entire community was with us, ready to help in any way they could.

This IS what healthcare is all about. And the fact that Republicans persist in using scare tactics and lies to turn Americans off the idea of its implementation is beyond despicable.

No one should have to think about the prospect of mounting bills when a family member is ill.

No one should be refused medical treatment on the basis that they cannot pay for it.

No one should have to defer potentially life-saving tests and/or treatment because they don't have the funds to cover the costs of same.

No one should have to choose between the best available medical care and bankruptcy.

Spread the word. If one person reading this tells ONE other person the truth, and THAT person tells another person, the truth will eventually prevail.

[rosesaylavee]

137. I very much appreciate your sharing of this experience Nance

I am betting, tho I never met you or Jeff, that he is delighted with this and appreciates it too.

So very sorry to hear about Jeff -- like I said, never met you but feel you both have been a part of my 'coming of age' politically ... may this plant more seeds than you can imagine.

Peace to you!

[polly7]

141. Great post.

I've worked in different health-care fields for many years and agree with every word you've written.

I'm so sorry about JeffR, I have a feeling he'd be very proud of your desire to share his experiences to help others by explaining how our system really works. I know I've argued a few times about some claims that were so outlandish they seemed unbelievable to me, but had even been put out in print and on air. It can be frustrating, but you've done it beautifully. Excellent!

[bobjacksonk2832]

138. We desperately need to reform our healthcare system

It's broken beyond belief. Hopefully Sanders will get elected and do everything he can to improve it.

[Bonobo]

142. Kick. nt

[slipslidingaway]

143. I am so very, very sorry for your loss ...

and happy to hear you had wonderful support from the HC system in your country.

HC was The Main issue last election and many people wanted a full discussion from our elected leaders, but as you know that did not happen.

Those who wanted a full discussion were literally left at the gates of the WH, I cannot blame the Repubs for silencing the issue when we had control of the conversation ... our party played a role.

To solely blame the other party would be dishonest IMHO.

I could say more, but I'll be brief in my comments as to the HC discussions during the time when it really mattered. They were horrible and mostly slated to benefit the for profit companies.

In the not too distant future I could be facing the same loss, my husband just had a second allogeneic bone marrow transplant for acute leukemia. The past five years have been challenging, we have had to move twice for financial reasons, on some level I can only imagine that played a role on his immune system. I wish we had a better HC system in the US where finances did not play a major role.

Again I a truly sorry for your loss, but I would be remiss if I did not speak up for all those who fought and were marginalized by this administration when HC was the number one issue in the country.

Wishing you peace and good memories in the tough times ahead.

[DFW]

147. We don't even have it that good in Germany

Of course, when it has ANYthing at all that involves paperwork, the EU seems to have an unwritten law that if there are two ways to do something, one easy and straightforward and one impossibly complicated with thousands of unnecessary regulations and involving piles of paperwork and months of delay, they will choose the latter.

Still, when my wife had cancer, even though they endangered her life by making her wait 5 months between the first operation that showed she had small cancerous lesions and the second one where they removed almost everything plus the lymph nodes on her left side (might not have been necessary if they had done the second operation right away), it didn't cost anything for her treatment when they finally got around to it. Now, Germany does have this highly unfair two class healthcare system. If you have a "standard" health insurance, you have to wait to see a doctor, sometimes months, depending on what ails you. If you have ""privat," then you get the bill, pay it yourself, and then submit it for reimbursement to your private (and VERY expensive, usually around $3000 a month) health insurance carrier.

My wife had "second class" insurance, but after her second operation, the brutal one, she stayed a month in the hospital, had months of chemo, six weeks of radiation, and then a month's rehab at one the the many cancer rehab spas around Germany. Hers was in the Black Forest, and was specifically for recovering victims of breast and thyroid cancer, so the patients were almost all women. Spouses/partners are not allowed overnight visits until the last weekend, and this place was out in the middle of nowhere, so we communicated by phone until I was allowed to stay over.

Her insurance paid for both operations, the chemo, the radiation, and the rehab spa, even the train tickets down to the town where the spa was located and back. And this is SECOND CLASS treatment in Germany.

Now, my wife was luckier than Jeff--she made it back to the light at the end of the tunnel, and she has been cancer-free for 13 years now. She comes from a long line of women in her family that all had cancer and beat it to live into their nineties. I, on the other hand, come from a long line of men and women who had cancer and didn't survive to tell the tale. When (not if) it's my turn, I hope to have treatment as good and as humane as Jeff got. If not, I hope to have treatment as good and as humane as my wife got.

I'm an American with an American health care plan. It's better than it was, but I'd still advise against on making any bets in my favor.

[DonCoquixote]

151. if this does not make the greatest page

shame on DU.

[niyad]

152. k and r, and my deepest condolences on your loss, nance.