I was born and raised in New Jersey and have lived in Canada 42 years. My husband is a Canadian and I have dual Canadian/U.S. citizenship (as do our two adult children who reside in British Columbia).
I am very distressed that Americans do not have a proper universal health care system and that many Americans are wary of such a system because they have been told lies (mostly emanating from the conservative lobbies and politicos) about the Canadian health care system.
Nine years ago I was critically injured in an auto accident. After the accident I underwent several major surgeries (I suffered a broken neck, crushed leg, broken arm and internal injuries in the accident) and spent six weeks in critical care at a major trauma centre and 2.5 months in a rehab facility. As a result of the fine care I received I recovered well.
Since that time, unfortunately, I have had related orthopedic issues and have had several hip surgeries and a knee replacement. After each of these surgeries I spent time at a rehab facility. Total cost to me for all these procedures: nothing except the cost of the telephone and the television at the hospitals.
Canadians overwhelmingly are satisfied with their health care. When surveys are done, health care is generally given as the one benefit Canadians would never give up.
Bad experiences can occur anywhere. Unfortunately the media coverage in the U.S. which is criticizing Canadian health care is headlining certain cases which may not have had a positive outcome or they are misrepresenting some cases. Such experiences when presented by the media can lead people to think that they are the norm when in fact they are not.
How sad that a nation such as the US does not have a health care program for its people when all other modern nations have such systems. I truly hope the Obama Administration succeeds where other administrations have failed and is able to establish a proper health care system for all Americans.
Joanne Fisher
Thornhill, Ontario.
