Alex Arnet, a reader of ours in Salt Spring Island, Canada, wrote me yesterday about his recent diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer. He wanted Americans to know first-hand how the Canadian health care system actually works (and it does work). This is Alex’s story. (Particularly interesting is his observation that the only time he’s seen rationing in Canada is when conservative politicians cut the health care budget.)

When I arrived in Victoria, I was given a cat-scan within hours and in surgery immediately after the surgeon had examined the scans. The surgeon cleaned me out of tumours and I was on the mend, or so we thought. Since I had lost about 2/3 of my blood before surgery through slow leaks in my stool, I developed blood clots in my left leg and developed a pulmonary embolism. This required a further week stay in the Hospital. The Doctors and Nurses involved were all incredibly caring, personable and so professional.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer less than two weeks ago. I had been suffering some strange symptoms for over half a year, mostly constipation, cramps, and weight loss. It ended up with a day of such extreme abdominal pain that I got my partner to drive me into emerg at the local Hospital. This was late at night and the MD on call said it was likely serious and I needed to be sent to the Hospital in the nearest large city, Victoria, BC. Both helicopters were in use so, since I live on an Island, I was sent over by water taxi, accompanied by two paramedics and my GF.

I had further setbacks that were drug-related, but finally my last day came. One of my Doctors asked me if I would be willing to inject myself with blood thinner for the next 4-5 days. If so I could go home. He then asked me if I could afford it. I was using a single-use needle-induced blood thinner that my Hospital used as a matter of a budgetary choice (they choose to use a more expensive option than the regular needle or pill). When I asked him what the price of my freedom would be, he said “$15-$25 day.” In the meantime I am switching to pill form.

So, after 11 days I am home, and I will be receiving two visits a week from Home Care, in addition to any further treatment needed, such as chemo and radiation. And all of this cost me nothing, beyond the meds that I am now buying. There was no waiting and no “lottery.” Don’t believe the lies being spewed by the lobbyists.

The basic system here is Canada is that the Federal government collects our taxes and returns a certain amount back to the Provinces to be used for Health Care. The amount is not mandated on the Federal level, but decide on the Provincial level. This is where the potential exists for problems. In my province, for example, the current governing party is the BC Liberal Party who are liberal in name only. They are really conservatives, and in their obsession with not running deficits, they have just made massive cuts to Health Care budgets throughout the Province. The various Health Authorities have had to cut some elective surgeries, such as hip, shoulder and cataract operations until next year.

So you can see from my example that the problem is not with the system, but rests with it’s implementation. I am eternally grateful that I live under the umbrella of my health care system. I am alive, healthy again, and I don’t have to worry about paying a big bill. Isn’t this the way it should be? Isn’t this what everyone deserves?

Sincerely,

Alex Arnet

Salt Spring Island, Canada