Debbie Schlussel: Letter to the Editor of the Day: The Truth About Canada's Healthcare
Although the buzz about Michael Moore's "Sicko" has pretty much died down (though he's making an appearance at the NAACP national convention in Detroit, today, to discuss/screen it), this letter to the editor by David L. Streeter of Rocklin, California, in today's Wall Street Journal says it all:
Regarding the commentary on Michael Moore's attempted documentary: Our family has experienced Canadian health care first-hand, having lived in the Toronto area three years and returning last summer to the U.S. I had to wait seven months to schedule an annual physical with our family doctor. Our young son suffered a hairline fracture in his foot playing soccer. No crutches were issued -- just orders to stay off the foot for a few days and wait for any adverse x-ray findings; we were not notified until one week after the exam. Neighbors with hockey wear-and-tear told stories of scheduling MRIs at 1 a.m. due to limited equipment availability. I wouldn't trade my employer-funded U.S. health insurance for social-funded medicine. Canadian medicine was indeed paperless but did not offer easy access to basic medical services that we've come to expect in the U.S. Besides the medicine (and the winters), the Canadian living experience and people were great. Just too much government.David L. Streeter
Rocklin, Calif.
Posted by Debbie on July 9, 2007 02:43 PM to Debbie Schlussel