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lori6666
Regular
Joined: 26 Sep 2008
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: Canada vs U.S. |
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I truly hope that the U.S. gets some form of national healthcare. It's one thing to have to deal with such an awful disease like cancer, but another thing to have the financial worries of paying to keep yourself alive.
Here in Canada everything is free. My Dad had colon cancer than spread to his bladder a couple of years ago. That was fixed up (free of charge of course). Earlier this year it spread to his lungs. Working through the physical and emotional costs of this disease is hard enough. Thankfully we can walk in and out of a hospital for cancer surgeries and treatment and it doesn't cost a cent. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5617
Location: Tennessee
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2403
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| Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: Canada vs U.S. |
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Socialized medicine is not all that it is cracked up to be. I personally know of too many bad stories, but I'll leave it at that. Tort reform is what is needed to drive down the insurance prices so it's affordable.
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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Jean222
Senior User
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 249
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Canada vs U.S. |
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As a fellow Canadian, I have to say that our healthcare is not free.
We are taxed to the teeth, pay more per annum to the health care system that is full of abuses from both patients and health workers......but we can get care without losing our homes.
Unfortunately, when people get sick, there are many other costs that can be quite financially crippling.
We've been paying up to $25/day for parking, while taking my Hubby to his medical appointments.....there is no other parking available, captive audience etc.
When I called to 'comment', we were offered a discounted fee of $8/day for 5 consecutive days. One time discount.
We've registered with the Cancer Society for free lifts for when he needs treatments and with a low-cost seniors program to take him to doc appointments. We aren't quite seniors but they'll take us because I'm handicapped and he's ill.
Now that he's going to be off work, we have no idea how we'll make the most basic payments for our food/shelter/transportation etc.
I've cashed in my Air Miles for grocery coupons and bought a large stash of canned goods on sale....in case we're snowed in/hydro fails due to ice storm, trees down.
Our heating bills are higher this year, as Hubby is cold most of the time....normally keep it at 66 degrees during the day, it's now at 70/72 degrees.
We've been gathering some of our 'better' clothing, taking it to a consignment shop in the hopes that it sells and have listed quite a few household items on Craigslist and Kijiji (free ads).
Will be cancelling our 'extras' as soon as the offices open....this coming week. Going back to basic phone line, doing laundry during 'off hours', cheaper hydro rates, drying clothing on a rack etc. No more fast food, pizza or restaurant meals either....back to my most basic cuisine. lol
The only 'extra' that's staying is our cable tv with the movie/sports channels.....we got it for my recovery from 2 heart ops, half price promotion til next August. At least Hubby will have lots of 'stuff' to watch while he recovers from surgery or treatments.
I've listed these ideas in the hopes that it might help others who are having to cut back severely.
If you have any other ideas, please share them, much appreciated.
Jean
Last edited by Jean222 on Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jean222
Senior User
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 249
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| Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Canada vs U.S. |
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Just a Post Script to above post:
Although we're taxed to the teeth, I've had two heart ops and a major liver op in less than a year.
Hubby now has Prostate Cancer and is about to start his medical journey.
If we were anywhere but Canada, we'd be bankrupt by now or worse.
Hopefully, we can hold onto our home. Just not sure how....tx.
Jean |
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Gillette
Moderator
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
Posts: 353
Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine
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| Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:16 am Post subject: medical and money |
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I will be brief  Unusual for me, I know! - but this is a very sore subject for me- VERY sore....
I am afraid that as long as there are companies that are run with the shareholders best interest at heart, the US health care system is not what it could be.
Money, takes care of Money.
And I'll say no more.
That is why we have each other. 
Good luck to all, many factors make these tough times for us.
God Bless
_________________
Kathy: still loving Ben, as he rests with God. |
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Wendy W
New User
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
Posts: 5
Location: Abbotsford
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| Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:52 am Post subject: Re: Canada vs U.S. |
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I too am Canadian
My husband has colon cancer.
Yes a lot of stuff was covered, but not all.
He worked full time til last summer. Now gets 600 cpp.
He had no extended medical benifits so all his prescriptions and bags are paid for by us. about 250 per month.
I have cut my hours back at work to be with him more so my wages dont even cover the rent now.
We cut back on everything and still I dont know what to do financially.
None of our family can help as they have no spare money. |
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Jean222
Senior User
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 249
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| Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Canada vs U.S. |
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Wendy,
I can appreciate fully what you're going through.
We're still waiting for cpp to be approved, it can take up to 20 weeks to get a cheque and 16 weeks for the approval!! Crazy!
As of November 1st, if we want to keep his extended medical, pension and life insurance, WE have to pay his company!! So very wrong, IMO.
Jean |
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