Healthcare from a Socialists Perspective

The ladies over at Silicon Valley Moms Blog came up with the idea that all the sites could blog about THEIR views on the current Health Care issues in the US.   Us Canadians have opinions too!  Here is mine.

I was born and spent my childhood in the UK.  Edinburgh, Scotland to be precise.

The National Health Service (NHS) was just the way it was for a child like me.   I didn't  think about it, and I don't think my parents did either.

Looking back (this was the 70's) I am sure some of the "service" would look frightening to more modern outsiders like the US.  Many hospitals appeared grim due to their Victorian and Edwardian age.  6 to 12 person wards were the norm.

But that has more to do with history than the service.

I don't recall much about the system, apart from my nice doctor who valiantly ran his clinic in one of the poorest parts of town (razor wire and all) happily did home visits for panicked mom's and seniors alike.

I don't think the service was perfect and I have heard many tales of NHS's deterioration since...however, I also do know that the majority are happy with their care and to not fight with insurance companies or other bureaucracies to be cured.

The negatives stories and experiences I have been involved with, I really don't think could be blamed on the system, but more the people involved in the system.

Like daughters in law who were also nurses not seeing that their mother in law might have something more serious than acid reflux and not pursuing it till it was too late.  My Grandmother died of esophageal cancer due to NOBODY taking her symptoms seriously.  Herself included.

When we came to Canada when I was 12, the only thing we found odd about Canada's Health Plan was that it was Provincially run.  

The much touted 'National' plan was actually different from province to province and that you have to apply for a new health care and coverage should you move to another province.    This makes no sense to me.

I think our Canadian Medicare Plan is micro managed and over managed from the top down.  Hence budget issues, cut backs and shortages of nurses, technicians and doctors.

Just sayin.

Due to giving birth four times, the three kids trips to ER, AND the spectacular ill health of my now deceased in-laws, I have experienced the British Columbian medical system quite a bit since coming to Canada.

Before all that I was quite healthy and have taken for granted (living in a big city) being able to choose doctors, be referred to specialists, and be sent for various 'tests' throughout my years.

Prescriptions and things like Chiropractors are not included in the basic coverage.  

But all in all, I have to say, I have been happy with my coverage.  Happy with private maternity rooms, midwifery care, physiotherapy, mental therapy, tests for ADD for my kids, tests for their eyes, hearing, CT Scans, Ultrasounds, X-Rays, etc.  All without a big scary bill at the end of it all.

Us Canadians tend to watch all the political and cultural goings on in the US with fascination.  While we are immersed in US popular culture, food and entertainment,  things like the last election and this furor over the future of American health care really shows how different we really are.

Reading blogs, tweets and chat rooms lately has really shown just how different Canada and America really are.

Our divergent historical and cultural history sets us totally apart when it comes to the concepts of 'Freedom' and 'Democracy,' and more importantly, what a 'Government' means to us the people.

The US seems to have so little faith in their elected officials, yet does nothing much to change the system.

We don't have much faith in our leaders either, but despite our aggravating laid backness about big issues, we still tend to kick up a fuss and even sometimes DEMAND changes.

Our leaders are not unreachable.  Our leaders are just the folks we voted in.  And can be voted out.

I honestly can't imagine the US ever having a health care plan like ours or any other 'socialist' leaning country.

And there are many other nations with far more successful health care plans than ours.

But I just can't see any of the models working in America.

The issues facing the US over this seem to me to be insurmountable.  

The fear and resentment over this issue almost impossible to assuage.  

My taxes may be steep, but health care is the one thing I am more than happy to be taxed for.

If that and the $100 or so a month I pay for my ENTIRE FAMILY to be basically worry free when it comes to basic and good and timely health care, then so be it.

If my taxes make sure EVERYONE in my province is covered, no matter what...then to me, that is what being a democratic nation is all about.

The US has to make HUGE leaps in how they think about their world and their country to make any radical changes in health care.

The all mighty dollar and giant bloated corporations should not be controlling the politicians and the purse strings of the individuals. 

People need to work together to decide what sort of plan will work for all...with no greed or fear or distrust tainting the vision.

I wish America luck. 

In the meantime I better go lobby my own politicians to fight for the issues and changes that are needed in OUR health care plan to keep it sustainable.

This is an original post to Canada Moms Blog.