Canadian speaks up
As a Canadian expat, I would like to ensure my fellow northern Michiganders that the Canadian health care system is alive and well. Contrary to both Mr. Terhune's (Oct. 13) and Ms. Roundtree's (Sept. 21) letters, Canadians overwhelmingly support their universal system.
A new poll conducted by the Toronto-based Nanos Research shows 86.2 percent of Canadians are for "strengthening public health care rather than expanding for-profit services."
My family and I have had nothing but good experiences with our care north of the border.
From my father's aggressive treatment for melanoma to my grandmother's multiple joint replacements and my baby brother's lengthy hospitalization for a bout with pneumonia, the care in our rural Manitoba town was professional, efficient, timely and always without co-pays, deductibles and monthly premiums.
Personally, I do not know of a single Canadian who wishes their system to be more like ours here.
With unaffordable and constantly rising premiums, caps on treatment amounts, denials of coverage to increase corporate profits and exclusion of those with preexisting conditions, can you blame them?
No one should be forced into financial ruin because they could not afford health insurance.
Please join me in supporting health care reform and the public option.
Ty Schmidt
Traverse City
The writer is formerly of Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada.
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