The saddest part of a debate on healthcare is, the proponents of such a system deny it is Canadian-like, yet it is in every way when you examine the components. It is a failed system and rather than recognizing the failure and working to make our system better, these misguided fools insist on treading down the road of misery. My thought is - why go down the road when we know the end. Their response - well, we'll fix it as we go.
Why is it so clear to me - these people are retarded rodeo clowns. Lets throw away a system that is the envy of the world and embrace a failed system and if it is a problem at any time we will fix it. Rather than understanding in a mature grown up way that you do not throw things away when they do not work, you fix them, and only after fixing them and no change, only then do you consider an alternate course. These proponents are idealistic and naive and quite honestly foolish. That is ok when you are idealistic and spend other peoples money.
In the US, anyone can land here and squat, pop out a baby and get free medical care. An illegal from Germany can walk in to Cedars Sinai at USC in Los Angeles, throw up their arms and say - I am poor and need to have a baby. The hospital will evaluate the person, determine they are poor and pat them on the back telling them that the people of Los Angeles are kind enough that we will pay for the birth and hospitalization. After care will also be free or whatever the mother can afford. As long as she doesn't have insurance.
Why?
Because our system - our attitude is everyone deserves the care regardless of citizenship or status. How can we afford this? because we pay a great deal in taxes.
Canada - free medical care to all. But not really. You would think if we provide free hospitalization and delivery for the illegal from Germany than Canada must provide a basket and warm blankets along with the baby shower in addition to everything else, all for free - because they have a great system - medical and political and of course - economic!
Wrong.
They cannot afford what they have, consequently only a select few can get the care.
Edmonton Journal, January 25, 2008, p. A-18
Soldier faces $20,000 bill for expected child
Cypriot wife has not finalized status as landed immigrant
MELISSA LEONG
A Canadian soldier who met his wife in Cyprus while on a break from his tour in Afghanistan may be stuck with more than $20,000 in medical bills for their expected child.
Master Cpl. Daniel Joudrey, a 34-year-old electrician with the army, said he is struggling to pay for the birth of his son next month because his wife, Calliopi, has not finalized her status as a landed immigrant in Canada and has no medical coverage.
“We’re happy the baby is coming but we’re worried. I’m applying for loans, getting turned down so things aren’t looking good,” Joudrey said on Thursday from his home in Dundurn, Sask.
“I figured I’m Canadian, I’m in the military . . . I thought she would be covered the second we got married.”
Joudrey, who has been in the military for 14 years, serving in Bosnia and Afghanistan, said he had hoped that because he served his country, his country would look after him and his family.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier has on numerous occasions professed the government’s “unwavering” support for the Canadian Forces and their families.
Joudrey said he sought help from the National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman, Saskatchewan Health and his military superiors, without recourse. Calls to National Defence were not returned. The couple met in August 2006 by a hotel pool in Cypress where Joudrey was undergoing “decompression” — a program designed to ease the physical and mental rigours of life in the combat zone.
They were married the following March after Joudrey and her nine-year-old daughter moved to Saskatchewan.
Her application for permanent resident status has been delayed by missing paperwork such as a criminal record check and medical records.
She is scheduled for a caesarian section on Feb. 5. Hospital officials recently told them that it would cost $3,700 a day for her hospital stay, not including fees for the surgeon, anesthesiologist or medications, she said.
“I thought somebody made a mistake,” Calliopi Joudrey, 30, said. “Because I’m not Canadian, I don’t expect free medical treatment. But I thought because (my husband) is Canadian and it is his baby that it would be different.”
Calliopi Joudrey must also pay more for standard hospital services because she is a visitor to the country. “If you’re not a resident of Canada, (hospitals) usually charge about 125 per cent because of additional administrative fees,” said Pat Cambridge, assistant director of health registration and vital statistics at Saskatchewan’s ministry of health.
Daniel Joudrey, who grew up in a military family, said he has already spent more than $1,800 for blood work, doctors visits and other medical bills.
Some community members, he said, have kindly donated baby clothes.
The hospital has agreed to set up a payment plan for the Joudreys. Also, the baby will get full coverage after he is born, Cambridge said.
“He may be caught in a conundrum but I believe there are people in the military chain of command who can solve his problem,” Bob Butt at The Royal Canadian Legion said.
“I don’t know all the details . . . But in this particular case, the military should be looking after its own.”
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