My wife has always been one of my heroes. She is a strong woman who confronts challenges with a combination of courage, hope and humour. And now, after her diagnosis of Uterine Cancer, she is approaching this latest fight with this same combination of strengths. I really am in awe of her. We have been married now for 27 years. Even with this diagnosis, we believe our journey will continue into a healthy retirement and for many years to come.
She will need all her strength, just as anyone would, to beat this disease. But as we move through this fight, I see that so many of the stresses that confront those in the US who face a similar diagnosis are one’s that, thankfully, because we live in Canada, neither she nor I will have to endure.
When the first symptoms appeared, she quickly made an appointment to see her doctor, who then referred her to an ObGyn. These visits were completely covered by Medicare. No one was able to deny coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition.
When referred for a number of tests, including blood work, an EKG and a CT scan, the doctors had no need to consult a private insurance company to see if they would all be considered necessary. Although the tests are conducted by private companies, rates are negotiated by the provincial government and are completely covered.
Upon her diagnosis, she was referred to a gynaecological oncologist. Surgery is recommended. The decision to go ahead with surgery was one made by my wife and her doctor based only on health care needs. Again, there was no interference from an insurance company demanding a less expensive procedure.
Like all Canadians regardless of wealth or status, we do not have to worry about the financial implications of this diagnosis and her upcoming surgery. We don’t have to think about re-mortgageing our home, raiding our retirement funds, or declaring bankruptcy because this disease struck our family. We don’t have to set up a crowdfunding account to help us.
Although not directly linked to Universal Healthcare, my wife also does not have to worry about losing her job because of this diagnosis. She has access to sick leave (and I have access to care and nurturing leave), so neither her absence from work for up to six weeks, nor mine, will result in additional financial harm. No one needs to lend her sick days.
The potential implications of a cancer diagnosis and the stresses that naturally arise — most importantly on my wife but also on our children and myself, are overwhelming. I can’t imagine what they would be like were we to also have to work through the stresses associated with a system of private insurance or, worse, the stresses involved in having no coverage at all.
The Canadian system is far from perfect. We do not have a Pharmacare program, for example, so prescription drugs require private insurance coverage. Still, not just the financial benefits, but also the emotional benefits, Canadians receive from our Universal Healthcare system are considerable. Most in Europe, regardless of whether they utilize single payer or another system of universal care, experience the same financial and emotional benefits from this support.
That the citizens of richest nation on the planet are denied this is shameful.