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Originally Posted by rockinray
What the post isnt telling is that the reason the lady had to go to America for health coverage is because the Canadian health care system denied the surgery. And this is what some people think we need here?
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From the article I did not get that the surgery was denied. It sounded more to me that she had not yet had the diagnostic work done in Canada. She hurried the diagnostic work by going to a US clinic where diagnostics determined that she needed surgery (but does not say how urgent the need was). She was expecting waits of 4-6 months to see a neurologist and endocrinologist. I have little doubt that had the tumor been found already, her referrals to the endocrinologist, neurologist and whomever else necessary would have been more highly prioritized. Perhaps her symptoms did not point to a need for a next day, or next week appointment for further screening. The story about this woman's experience leaves questions unanswered. If I wanted to make a case against Canadian healthcare, I would not use this story as is. Maybe with more details.
Just because a person is having crushing headaches and vision problems does not mean that they have a brain tumor and need surgery. Other causes need to be looked for, too. And maybe the woman had known prior health problems that could cause those symptoms. Why refer a person with those symptoms to an endocrinologist for example? Could it be that she was a diabetic with poor blood sugar control which is well known for causing vision problems?...The Canadian referrals to get specialist care/screening does seem like a logical thing to me. It is fortunate that she hurried off somewhere for quicker diagnosis which turned up her need for surgery so that she could get it done promptly. The article does say that she took a "warning" from US doctors back to Canada and still could not get in to be seen quickly. But what did that "warning" say? ???
"Dear Canadian Docs, You patient has a tumor we presume to be a slowly growing type and which should be removed sometime in the next four years. She also has some diabetic retinopathy which may be resolved in part by improved blood sugar control, but which may be cleared through laser surgery."??? That kind of message would have said that there is no hurry for surgery, but the article just does not give details, and we are left to assume the worst, if we are inclined to.