Calling all Canadians

[RedRose2]

?Effective Prioritization

Hi MamaBug - I did start a thread on the "right care at the right time" regarding Canadian medical system...yes; it changes from Province to Province. In fact, some of the provinces are creating "Canadian centres of excellence" for certain things - and then there are interprovincial arrangements for certain procedures that can't be done in the home province, the province will support the patient to go to that centre. There are specialties in certain types of open heart surgeries, transplants, medical tests and research.
Even within provinces - some of the rural areas may be able to get ultrasounds done quicker, as there may be less demand....but they had enough population to warrant the equipment and trained staff. Even with "medicare" plans - some provinces are different - with taxation covering the premiums, others request the additional payment. Of course, many employers offer additional extended health care insurance - but that also can vary from plan to plan. We are not restricted by only using certain doctors as part of an HMO - but, we are limited as far as the number of specialists that may be available. My own personal experiences have been that what was emergency/urgent and testing and treatment would allow for immediate impact - we got it. But the waitlists are frustrating for non-life-threatening conditions. I think the other differences can be based on the working and professional relationships between the doctors and specialists.(sad but true) I was able to get a specialist appointment and test the next day; when the GP thought there was something significant going on - she just called the specialist directly - told him the symptoms - and he made time the next day for me. All depends on the test required; how many are in demand, and sometimes, who knows who. Definitly, politics can be a big part - is the money there? What about wages, the Health Authorities are given money from the Province - but have a lot of autonomy in how they use those funds - under the umbrella of provincial health care legislations....very confusing.
I do have Pharmacare - but my deductible is $4,000.00 for the year of the $22,000.00 year prescription (and whatever else I need) - So I pay the first 4 grand - if family income changes then the deductible will change to reflect that.
I also know that the Canadian drug system - is cheaper. In Manitoba, there are bus tours of American seniors coming up to get prescriptions filled. Again, big international issue with the mail-order pharmacies filling the prescriptions cheaper than the American rates. So there has been some political discussions, threats to ban trade, etc.

I agree with you MamaBug - if we could just combine the best of both the systems - it would be a fine thing.

We should all go see the Michael Moore documentary "Sicko" - which compares the U.S. and Canadian medical systems - and then have a discussion thread on it. (He's actually had Free tickets for nurses to see it).

[Mamabug]

I'm not working right now, will do daycare in the fall.
I have no medical coverage.
Hubby has a back injury so whatever meds he needs is paid through comp.

i know they have trillium for med coverage but you still have to pay a certain percentage.. not sure how much.
I think it's based on your earnings.

I'm sure that's the route i'll have to go if i ever do go on any type of meds.

Doesn't that vary by province? My sibilngs live in AB, and I think they pay for some of their medical care. My Dad lives in SK, and I don't think that he does.

Even if you pay, it's still a lot less than we do, here in the U.S., but I don't know if I'd trade that for trouble with finding doctors and accessing care in a timely manner.

Both systems have some plusses, but both need some fixing, IMO.

~ Faith

[EliTy]

From Nova Scotia

I am currently in San Jose California (for a year), but my permanent residence is in Nova Scotia. I was here in California for a week and then drove up to Victoria to pick up a years supply of Rebif (a very interesting experience getting that across the border! ). I had never been to Victoria before...it's beautiful there! I just got back into San Jose yesterday.

Anyone else from Nova Scotia? I'll be back in a year!

[Lauri]

Lauri from Ontario here. RRMS 3 years, was on Avonex, now on Rebif. On disability and applying for CPP disability. Look forward to meeting other Canuks!

[Mamabug]

Cool!

Saskatoon is my hometown, although I've now lived in Kansas for over 20 years. Spent some time in Saskatoon this summer, visiting Dad.

~ Faith

[puffinstar]

Hi everyone!
I haven't been to the board for awhile, but was really pleased to see a separate thread for Canadians.

I'm SPMS, living in Saskatoon, Sask.(moving soon to northern Saskatchewan).

Valdine, I lived in Thompson for most of my early life and had the same problem with northern doctors, everything was all in my head, should take a trip back there and drop in on a couple of them.

Alexa

[Min, The Great]

The great Canadian debate.

*chuckle*

[Rushy]

This is so strange. I belong to a Coronation Street guestbook as well and the discussion on there right now is about the difference in how milk is packaged from Ontario to the West. Too odd!

[Min, The Great]

I'm originally from North Vancouver (Lynn Valley to be exact) and I miss the jugs. At lease we could recycle those...I remember using them as bird feeders as a kid...

[valdine]

yeah it's weird.. it's like the ontario/manitoba border is where milk switches from bags to jugs.

One day I'm lugging home 4 litre jugs then I moved to southern Ontario... and it took me a good 3 months to realize each bag had more than 1L of milk (that I wasnt buying four 1 L's... but 3 1.33 L's) I thought my roomie was stealing milk! the funny little things you learn.

[Carol]

I buy my milk in 4 litre plastic jugs. You can also get 2 litre jugs. (and I think I've seen smaller ones too). Glass bottles seem to be making a comeback in some stores but they're too small for my house. We go through 5, 4 litre, jugs each week!

C

[littlebelle]

We still buy our milk in bags. 3 litres at a time. It is seeing jugs that is strange. Do you guys buy your milk in jugs?

[Carol]

Hi Wendy!

I'm in Victoria. Hope you're enjoying the great weather we're having. (I really didn't mind the rainy days either)

C

[wendyd]

Hello everyone,its great to have a site that has included us Canucks!!Iam from Vancouver B.C.
I would love to hear from others in the B.C. area!!

[sw8689]

hee hee.... when I lived in Ontario it was the first time I saw milk in bags and understood the whole 'Canadian stereotype' (I could never cut those bags open right either!)

I always thought people meant powdered milk in bags.. now why would that be so strange?

Wow, that was a long time ago, milk in bags...I wonder if that would be more enviro friendly...
I haven't seen those in decades, do they still do that?