Rookie120 0 #1 September 19, 2007 QuoteLiberal MP Belinda Stronach, who is battling breast cancer, travelled to California last June for an operation that was recommended as part of her treatment, says a report. Stronach's spokesman, Greg MacEachern, told the Toronto Star that the MP for Newmarket-Aurora had a "later-stage" operation in the U.S. after a Toronto doctor referred her. "Belinda had one of her later-stage operations in California, after referral from her personal physicians in Toronto. Prior to this, Belinda had surgery and treatment in Toronto, and continues to receive follow-up treatment there," said MacEachern. He said speed was not the reason why she went to California. Instead, MacEachern said the decision was made because the U.S. hospital was the best place to have it done due to the type of surgery required. Stronach was diagnosed last spring with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The cancer is one of the more treatable forms but Stronach still required a mastectomy -- which was done in Toronto -- and breast reconstruction. Stronach, who announced last April she would be leaving politics before the next election, paid for the surgery in the U.S., reports the Star. "As we said back in June when we confirmed the surgery, this is a personal and private matter between Belinda, her family and her physicians. I think you'll understand that because of respect for Belinda's privacy, we refrained from offering specific details around her medical treatment," said MacEachern. While it is rare for MPs to seek treatment outside Canada, MacEachern said Stronach was not lacking confidence in the system. "In fact, Belinda thinks very highly of the Canadian health-care system, and uses it when needed for herself and her children, as do all Canadians. As well, her family has clearly demonstrated that support," MacEachern told the Star. MacEachern did not offer any other details regarding what type of surgery Stronach had or what she paid for it. I thought Canada was the role model for us to follow? If they are so good and we suck why did she come here for her treatment? I'm sure there had to be somebody in Canada who could have cared for her.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #2 September 19, 2007 Belinda Stronach is the richest woman in the country; If she lived in Michigan or Marseilles she would have traveled to California because she was of the opinion that that doctor and/or hospital was the best in the world at that procedure. These are the benefits of being a billionaire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,154 #3 September 19, 2007 >I thought Canada was the role model for us to follow? Who said that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #4 September 19, 2007 QuoteWho said that? A lot of people. They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? So many say how great it is.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #5 September 19, 2007 Her Daddy is one of the richest men in all of Canada and poor Belinda (who loves playing the victim whenever possible) is one of the biggest hypocrites in this country. Now don't get me wrong, I do empathize with her medical condition. Cancer is never nice. My father died of it, my uncle and a 2nd cousin of mine are both in the battles of their lives with it. But it is amazing how this woman criticizes others when they go against her political mindset of the day and who constantly plays the "I'm a victim" game. Yet when push comes to shove, she is not afraid to jump the cue for her preferred treatment. Money may not buy happiness. But it bought this hypocrite a spot at the head of the line while the common over taxed citizen rots away in the waiting rooms. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,196 #6 September 19, 2007 Billionaires certainly get great health care in the USA.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #7 September 19, 2007 QuoteBillionaires certainly get great health care in the USA. The USA is a great place to be when you are rich. It's not such a good place to be when you do not have money. Unfortunately for many in America, they are heading in the wrong direction. Manufacturing jobs are leaving North America and bankruptcy and mortgage defaults are on the rise. I haven't seen much mention of this on these forums but a few years ago the value of the Candian dollar was considered pretty much like monopoly money. Today it closed at $0.9864 and who knows how long it will take before this once monopoly dollar is worth more than the almighty green back. Maybe all our doctors and nurses will return back to the country soon. Both healthcare systems are broken ... Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,154 #8 September 19, 2007 >A lot of people. Who here has said that? I mean, have even three people claimed "Canada should be our role model?" >They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? Yes, and we have a form of it here too. Doesn't mean either one is ideal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,196 #9 September 19, 2007 Quote>A lot of people. Who here has said that? I mean, have even three people claimed "Canada should be our role model?" >They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? Yes, and we have a form of it here too. Doesn't mean either one is ideal. At least they have a system, rather than a patchwork cobbled together with no forethought whatsoever.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #10 September 20, 2007 Quote Billionaires certainly get great health care in the USA. And they'll travel from anywhere to get it. Indeed, you get what you pay for... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armour666 0 #11 September 20, 2007 QuoteQuoteWho said that? A lot of people. They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? So many say how great it is. In my opinion it is great system but like any system there are some faults in it. It still doesn’t change the fact the world wide there are specialist located all over the planet that are considered top in their field. No one country or system has the Top Person in every field of medicine there is. As long as this is the case there will continue to be those who can afford it go and travel to the person that is considered the best in the field their ailment is in. This may be in Canada, the US, France, ect ect ect. Just because some one is able to afford going to the best Doctor Available doesn’t mean the rest of the system is a complete failure. Because some of the best doctors in Diabetes research and treatment are in Canada does that mean the rest of the system in the US suck for all other medical treatment? Lets be a bit more objective about this.SO this one time at band camp..... "Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,154 #12 September 20, 2007 >If they are so good and we suck why did she come here for her treatment? I have a friend of mine who's one of the top organizers in the country, and can afford pretty much any care she wants. She flew to Sweden to get her shoulder operated on by an orthopod that specializes in such things - and paid much, much less than she would have paid here. So it definitely goes both ways. Who's best? Sweden? Canada? The US? They all have their good points and bad points. A wise country would take the best from other countries and reject the worst. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushmc 23 #13 September 20, 2007 QuoteQuote>A lot of people. Who here has said that? I mean, have even three people claimed "Canada should be our role model?" >They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? Yes, and we have a form of it here too. Doesn't mean either one is ideal. At least they have a system, rather than a patchwork cobbled together with no forethought whatsoever. Take the state politics out of the equation (federal would be worse) and this "patchwork" (you callit ) which is still the best medical care in the world, would be less fragmented. Oh, and that best medical in the world includes the best emergency care for everybody"America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #14 September 20, 2007 Quote Oh, and that best medical in the world includes the best emergency care for everybody Yeah that system worked out really well for Carla Reyeshttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5298034 http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Eldercare/6-11-17-HospitalDumping.htm Better hope this is not in the cards for you when you are old and suffering from dementia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,196 #15 September 20, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuote>A lot of people. Who here has said that? I mean, have even three people claimed "Canada should be our role model?" >They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? Yes, and we have a form of it here too. Doesn't mean either one is ideal. At least they have a system, rather than a patchwork cobbled together with no forethought whatsoever. Take the state politics out of the equation (federal would be worse) and this "patchwork" (you callit ) which is still the best medical care in the world for some, would be less fragmented. Oh, and that best medical in the world includes the best emergency care for everybody some... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #16 September 20, 2007 I have been to more doctors/specialists than I care to count in the past 4 years in the U.S. I have always received excellent care. Oh, and I'm not a billionaire. _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCclimber 0 #17 September 20, 2007 Quote >A lot of people. Who here has said that? I mean, have even three people claimed "Canada should be our role model?" LOL You crack me up. Comparisons to Canada's system has been a part of the US healthcare debate for as long as switching to universal healthcare has been an issue. Making it about a specific quote on this forum is too funny. Quote >They have there national health or whatever they call it up there dont they? Yes, and we have a form of it here too. Doesn't mean either one is ideal. Is this gonna be another semantics shell game? Climate change = Anthropogenic Global Warming US healthcare = national health = socialized medicine LOL Good stuff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idrankwhat 0 #18 September 20, 2007 Quote Is this gonna be another semantics shell game? Climate change = Anthropogenic Global Warming US healthcare = national health = socialized medicine LOL Good stuff Yes it will be. Because people don't like to be honest about the debate and have tendency to reduce it to a binary argument. Climate change has an anthropogenic component. The debate should be "to what degree" (no pun intended but I'll take it). Regarding health care and the Canada comparison, the problem with US health care is not that the treatment and facilities are inferior, because they're not, but that the system is managed improperly. IMO, Canada's system is a model to be aspired towards because their administrative costs are in the low, single digit percentile. The US on the other hand spends almost a third of the health care dollar on pork filled administrative expenses. Combine that with the inbreeding of pharmaceutical companies and our federal government and you have a model of inefficiency. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,520 #19 September 20, 2007 Maybe its not about which geographic region has the best health care plan, but which doctor is the recognized as the best at that particular procedure and going to them if one can afford it.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #20 September 20, 2007 QuoteQuote Billionaires certainly get great health care in the USA. And they'll travel from anywhere to get it. Indeed, you get what you pay for... And, OF COURSE, a US National Health Care proposal should also cover trips to anywhere in the world to find the best expert for any condition whatsoever. (business class flights, 5 star hotels, of course). It's not fair that if Bill Gates can do it, then everyone should get the SAME. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #21 September 20, 2007 Quote>by an orthopod "orthopod" one who only has a single limb he must be a very talented surgeon - but tips over quite a bit ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #22 September 20, 2007 Quotepeople ... have tendency to reduce it to a binary argument. I agree with you - 100% This is a change from when I agreed 0% ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,154 #23 September 20, 2007 >Comparisons to Canada's system has been a part of the US healthcare >debate for as long as switching to universal healthcare has been an issue. I agree. However, in the english language, "making comparisons to" does not equate to being "a role model we should follow." You yourself have compared the US to several other countries - do you therefore claim we should use them as role models? I thought not. >Is this gonna be another semantics shell game? Nope, just english. But make it into whatever you like. Perhaps you could claim I said we're shipping stuff via the Northwest Passage! It will make you look that much smarter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCclimber 0 #24 September 20, 2007 Quote >Comparisons to Canada's system has been a part of the US healthcare >debate for as long as switching to universal healthcare has been an issue. I agree. However, in the english language, "making comparisons to" does not equate to being "a role model we should follow." You yourself have compared the US to several other countries - do you therefore claim we should use them as role models? I thought not. Oooo Word games with Billvon... Oh boy!Oh boy!Oh boy!Do you really think people haven't used Canada's healthcare as the standard we should base a US program on? Or is this just an intentional ploy to skirt the point? DURR Quote >Is this gonna be another semantics shell game? Nope, just english. But make it into whatever you like. Perhaps you could claim I said we're shipping stuff via the Northwest Passage! Sorry your own words continually come back to bite you in the ass. I believe you said: "you can now ship stuff by sea by going across the top of the globe, instead of going through Panama." Quote It will make you look that much smarter. I've been banned for saying less. What about your mantra of playing the ball, not the player? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
