Hmmmm Stronach went to U.S. for cancer treatment: report Updated Fri. Sep. 14 2007 7:57 AM ET CTV.ca News Staff Liberal MP Belinda Stronach, who is battling breast cancer, travelled to California last June for an operation that was recommended as part of her treatment, says a report. Stronach's spokesman, Greg MacEachern, told the Toronto Star that the MP for Newmarket-Aurora had a "later-stage" operation in the U.S. after a Toronto doctor referred her. "Belinda had one of her later-stage operations in California, after referral from her personal physicians in Toronto. Prior to this, Belinda had surgery and treatment in Toronto, and continues to receive follow-up treatment there," said MacEachern. He said speed was not the reason why she went to California. Instead, MacEachern said the decision was made because the U.S. hospital was the best place to have it done due to the type of surgery required. Stronach was diagnosed last spring with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The cancer is one of the more treatable forms but Stronach still required a mastectomy -- which was done in Toronto -- and breast reconstruction. Stronach, who announced last April she would be leaving politics before the next election, paid for the surgery in the U.S., reports the Star. "As we said back in June when we confirmed the surgery, this is a personal and private matter between Belinda, her family and her physicians. I think you'll understand that because of respect for Belinda's privacy, we refrained from offering specific details around her medical treatment," said MacEachern. While it is rare for MPs to seek treatment outside Canada, MacEachern said Stronach was not lacking confidence in the system. "In fact, Belinda thinks very highly of the Canadian health-care system, and uses it when needed for herself and her children, as do all Canadians. As well, her family has clearly demonstrated that support," MacEachern told the Star. MacEachern did not offer any other details regarding what type of surgery Stronach had or what she paid for it
You mean she didn't want to wait 17 months to get treatment in Canada? They have what's called a "Delayed Health Care" system in Canada. It's free, but delayed. Most likely you will die before treatment. Saves on cost, so everybody can be treated. Unless you die first.
now now, most people just look at a few bad cases. The reality is, if I had any major trauma I am admitted ASAP for free! Like heart attack, stroke, appendix, giving birth, car accident, allergic reaction, poisoning etc. THAT is when you really need it and it doesn't bankrupt you, it's free and instant. For "boutique" services like fancy cancer treatments and body scans, if you can't wait then by all means pay to go elsewhere. It's a free economy. There are tons of walk-in clinics in every city, during business hours you can drop by with no appointment for anything - for sniffles, ear ache, sprained whatever, for vaccinations, for tests. All FREE. Myself I have not been to a doctor for many years and plan to keep it that way.
Smucks like you Toronto Trader get to wait in Canada for meager medical treatment provided to you by your govt., while your superior leaders get to come to America for the "fancy" stuff . . . like you said its a free economy, good thing there was an America for this liberal bitch to come to.
By your own admission you have not had treatment in many years so how can you tell me how great the system is? I pay a 10 co pay and dont need to worry about going to another country if I get one of those "fancy cancers".She actually is coming her for breast cancer treatment so I wouldn't exactly call that "fancy" or uncommon. I guess if you aren't wealthy you are pretty much screwed. Hey but it's free right????
Yes, who wants to have any tests to see if they have any "fancy" cancers about to spread all over or if they might have a heart problem or something similar...
Socialized health care is just a giant one size fits all HMO. HMO's kill you for money essentially. Personally I would just as soon get killed for mouthing off to Guido or die relying on my own knowledge of health... Depending on strangers is slow suicide.
With one major difference, it's a giant non-profit HMO and being non-profit it's not interested in ripping off patients, stiffing doctors/hospitals/labs and cutting corners with the single objective of maximizing their profits (not necessarily improving quality or lowering the cost of health care). Besides it would be one giant HMO with one set of rules, procedures, standards and forms. Doctors, labs and hospitals would only deal with one entity, they would not have to hire a huge staff just to comply with requirements/paperwork of thousands of different HMOs.
Yeah, if you look at it that way - having only one system per Province (that's a State to you) reduces all that paperwork & cost. Nothing in life is free - obviously my tax dollars help to pay for the "free" health care. But I don't even notice it. Doesn't the USA have Medicaid and Medicare? Who pays for that? Oh, the tax payers. Sounds like socialism to me? What about the benefits given to Veterans? Isn't that socialized and paid for by the taxpayers? Aren't all those systems open to the alleged abuses in the same way Canada's 'evil' socialized system is? Gee, maybe we aren't so diferent after all. Health Care is like Education - if we all chip in to provide a minimum floor of quality/quantity for everyone sounds like a mighty civilized thing to do. It goes a long way to keeping social order and peace. And that's what makes us all 1st World countries.