Please keep writing on this topic! I'm an American and an OT student. I live in Nashville, TN, which is largely George Bush/right wing country. I desperately want to see universal healthcare of some type - any type, at this point - in the United States.
Michael, you are so right in that universal care is more humane - to say the least. I've been in both "lucky" and "unlucky" situations here as far as the ability to receive healthcare. For example, I was married to a cardiologist for years which entitled me to not only excellent healthcare, but "professional courtesy" to boot. Once divorced (with three kids), I could not buy health insurance. I was out of the work force for 15 years (its incredibly hard to maintain employment when your spouse works 70 hours a week. Also we relocated after residency and then after fellowship, away from family, etc). I couldn't even buy it despite having enough money! I had become depressed over the divorce and took medication for two years and so became ineligible. Depression - along with everything else - is considered a "pre-existing condition" and so tough luck. Now I'm a student and can buy student insurance, but its not very good. It only covers up to $10,000 and after that I'm on my own. Believe me, $10,000 would not go far here in the US. My story would not get much sympathy here where over 40 million people are without health insurance...... many of whom are seriously ill and unable to buy needed medication. So I'm not complaining! I'm only telling my story because many people (here in the US, anyway) think that the uninsured are simply too lazy to get a job. Not true. So....I would love to hear what you in Canada have to say about universal healthcare. The general view here among those against it is that universal healthcare means substandard health care. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
