Did Universal Health Care Kill Actress Natasha Richardson?
Did the fact that Canada has a socialist, government-run healthcare system kill acclaimed actress Natasha Richardson? The short answer is yes, it may very well have done so.
Did Universal Health Care Kill Actress Natasha Richardson?
Sphere: Related Content
1 comment:
Woman ignores advice to go to hospital. Does not get in ambulance that was called 45 min post accident. 3rs later when decompensates goes to hospital which DOES HAVE CT SCANNER (sure not all quebec hospitals have ct scanners but if the population of that town is only 1000 people is it really worth it, remember we have better population health outcomes for a lower cost). Sure no neuro surgeon but not EVERY rural hospital can have a neurosureon. Unclear if she got burr holes in the ER there (patient confidentiality has not released that info yet). Transferred 45 min by ground to Level 1 trauma center where I understand underwent surgery, bad bleeding leading on top of already significant brain edema from delayed presentation = bad outcome, transferred to USA so plug could be pulled with family at bedside. How is the Canada’s fault?
Sure Quebec does not have helicopters, have you seen their population density? Totally not reasonable for the $'s. Province is 594860 square miles. North to south the length is 1,971 kilometers (1,225 miles). From east to west it is about 1580 kilometers (982 miles). Similar dimensions in the USA as the crow flies is from the Canadian Quebec - USA Border to the tip of Flordia and from NYC to the other end of Illinois. Canada is flipping HUGE. We're 300,000 sq mi bigger than the USA but have 1/10th the population. That's alot of sq miles to cover with regards to healthcare. While Quebec does not have helicopters they do have fixed wing air ambulances though.
Sorry, problem here was with the patient delaying her presentation to definitive management. Blame the pt, not the Canadian system.
I'm not saying we have the perfect system. Sure if you have money you will get better care in the US (at least from a wait time perspective anyways). BUT we spend less per capita on health care than the USA but have better infant mortality, a longer life expectancy and better cancer survival prognosis among other indicators of health. You might wait 2-3 years for your total hip but you need your cancer therapy you will get it pronto and you will not go bankrupt because of it. Really the nightmare stories do happen but they happen everywhere and often have extra info that is not included (eg. woman who had to go to the USA for cancer therapy and is out 60k but they don't mention she had stage 4 Ovarian CA, deemed palliative and went to the USA for unproven, experimental therapy).
Just my 2 cents.
Post a Comment