Heart stents used twice as often in U.S. vs. Canada
More, can't tell you how long a wait is for that procedure here.
Everybody gets classified now by their specialist, on behalf of the urgency.
If it's an emergency, it gets done immediatly.
And, I believe they have a total of 4 categories of urgency.
I tried my best to find out what those waiting times were, but all I cam across were a few blogs, that'll I'll post here. Just so you can see for yourself, we are very satisfied with our Healthcare here.
• Having read most of these email on Angiograms, I am truly amazed that the U.S. is still screwing just about everyone with their so called Health Care. I, personally have had since 1984 , 2 carotid artery surgeries,one triple bypass surgery, 14 angiograms with 6 stents, and another angiogram to come in the next 3 weeks. Total cost $0, you see I live in Saskatchewan the original home of medicare in Canada. The history of it's inception in 1960, is quite wild, with the doctors going on strike, and our social democratic govt having to import doctors to get the program off the ground.It became so successful the rest of Canada wanted it. Now you wouldn't dare take it away. Hooray for us!
Saskdan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, November 27, 2010
• When I was 32 yrs old I suffered a M.I. caused by one 100% blocked artery and another blocked 90%, resulting in an angioplasty and subsequently a stent placed in the one artery 90% blocked. My Cardiologist discovered that the artery 100% blocked had been for years and by the miracle of the human body formed it's own bypass to compensate the blood flow. After a week in C.C.U. I was released and continued into rehab for another month. Total cost of treatment: absolutely nothing! I am so fortunate to live in Alberta, Canada where I have the assurance and peace of mind that when I or a loved one get seriously ill we can receive medical attention and treatment and not have to line up at the cashier's office after discharge (although we still have to pay the $8 for parking). Now, with all that said and with the risk of feeling an angina attack, it sure pisses me off when I see a mob of scared individuals in Washington opposing a proposed "socialist" program to better their quality of life. One such individual held a sign stating "Health Care Doesn't Work,Just Ask Canada". Well, here I am saying it does.
Shawn T, Alberta, Canada, October 1, 2009
• I returned home today after a six night stay in an ICU ward following a heart attack (I am 49, do not smoke or drink, am fit but have a family history of heart disease). I was transferred to a special heart unit in a larger urban hospital where I underwent an angiogram and received 4 stents in my heart. I was then returned back to my home town hospital where I was observed for a further night prior to my release. Because of my unusual circumstances I am now being transferred to the Cardiologist who performed the angioplasty for follow ups and recuperation. All the time I received excellent, prompt treatment from every party concerned in my care (Paramedics,ER staff, ICU staff, Cardio unit, etc)...and the cost to me.....nothing, you see I live in Canada where we have universal health care, so I shake my head in dismay at the debate going on down south. Whenever we have needed the health system here at has been available (last year my wife was confirmed with breast cancer and her comprehensive treatment was fantastic) -- it's not perfect, but I would not wish to swap it for the US system.
Jeff, BC, Canada, August 12, 2009
more here :
http://www.ptca.org/forumtopics/topic20010824.html
There are also some american blogs on that site, actually most of them are from the states.
You can read how much they got billed, yet couldn't pay for it.
