Iconic skier's death points out U.S. health gap



The outpouring of grief for Burke and the influx of funds are a tribute to a young woman who was a pioneer and legend in her sport. The need for a fundraiser  to help her grieving family avert bankruptcy  was viewed by some Canadians and U.S. observers as a condemnation of the U.S. health care system.



"The irony is that had the accident occurred in Canada her care would have been covered because, unlike the U.S., Canada has a system of universal coverage," wrote Wendell Potter, an insurance executive-turned-whistleblower who writes for iWatch at the Center for Public Integrity. "No one in Canada finds themselves in that predicament, nor do they face losing their homes as many Americans do when they become critically ill or suffer an injury..."





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Burke, who died at 29, was on skis by age five, and pursuing a professional skiing career before she left high school. She pioneered womens halfpipe skiing and was instrumental in getting the event included in the X-Games, according to a profile in Sportsnet magazine of Canada.





http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/30/10274212-iconic-skiers-death-points-out-us-health-gap



Since the death of Canadian skier Sarah Burke in January, fans and supporters from around the world have donated over $300,000  more than enough to cover the massive U.S. medical bill generated by efforts to save her.The outpouring of grief for Burke and the influx of funds are a tribute to a young woman who was a pioneer and legend in her sport. The need for a fundraiser  to help her grieving family avert bankruptcy  was viewed by some Canadians and U.S. observers as a condemnation of the U.S. health care system.wrote Wendell Potter, an insurance executive-turned-whistleblower who writes for iWatch at the Center for Public Integrity. "No one in Canada finds themselves in that predicament, nor do they face losing their homes as many Americans do when they become critically ill or suffer an injury..."--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Burke, who died at 29, was on skis by age five, and pursuing a professional skiing career before she left high school. She pioneered womens halfpipe skiing and was instrumental in getting the event included in the X-Games, according to a profile in Sportsnet magazine of Canada. 42 Tweet