SARS forces Ontarians to U.S. for medical help

Ottawa Citizen(via National Post) ^ | April 10, 2003 | Tom Blackwell

[saluki_in_ohio]

SARS forces Ontarians to U.S. for medical help

By Tom Blackwell The Ottawa Citizen

Thursday, April 10, 2003

TORONTO - Restrictions imposed on Ontario hospitals due to the threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome are pushing many Canadians to head south of the border for treatment or diagnostic testing, often at their own expense.

With elective surgeries and outpatient clinics suspended in Toronto-area hospitals, people are paying for MRI scans and other services in the United States themselves rather than wait at home.

The Ontario government has covered the costs of three surgeries in the U.S., fearing danger to the patients if they had to wait longer for the operation here.

"All of our front-office staff have said, 'Wow, are we running more commercials or something, because all of a sudden our Canadian calls have gone way up,' " said spokesman Kevin Burns of Buffalo MRI and CT.

MRI exams in Buffalo cost about $465 U.S., while full-body CAT scans run to as much as $900 U.S. Buffalo MRI says it can do the work within 24 hours.

The Ontario government closed two hospitals and froze most patient visits, elective surgery and clinics at other Toronto-area hospitals to contain the outbreak. Less-stringent limits were placed on other Ontario hospitals. James Young, the province's commissioner of public safety, said yesterday the government wants to start restoring those services, but warned it will happen gradually.

Meanwhile, close to 200 employees of an unnamed Toronto-area company were ordered into quarantine yesterday after an employee who was supposed to be in isolation repeatedly came to work while suffering SARS symptoms.

The incident and others prompted stern rebukes from officials who say their quarantine edicts must be obeyed to control the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

The public health department ordered a Toronto high school closed until next Tuesday after learning that a student who may have the illness attended school last week while symptomatic. The city's board of education closed an adjoining elementary school as a precaution.

Toronto health officials have also issued 20 letters of warning to quarantine violators, many of them companies that were ordering employees back to work before their 10-day isolation period had ended.

The number of suspect or probable cases rose by 10 yesterday and now stands at 242 across Canada. Among the five new suspect or probable cases in Ontario is an adopted baby brought back by couple from China at the end of March.

[Sunsong]

Ok, thanks for the explanation. I was wrong. But it doesn't change my view about closing the border. Nor does it change my view about the irresponsibility of Canada.

[Lucas1]

Quote "Awww...gee, you mean their wonderful little socialized medicine system isn't working???"

Ummm sorry people to bust your bubbles...but your system won't be working either if SARS breaks out like it has up here. Good luck...and remember your arrogance once it happens.

[Snowyman]

You are not turned away from a hospital because you have SARS. You are turned away because you DO NOT. And no one wants you to become infected .I'd go on explaining it but I can see you're confused already.

[-YYZ-]

Thanks for the sanity check. I'd like to apologize for some of the more inflamatory comments I've made. I'd also like to apologize on behalf of all Canadians for the stupid things some Canadian politicians have said, as well as the idiots who booed the national anthem (although has happened in the US, also) or who may have made stupid comments to those US pee-wee hockey players. I won't apologize for Canada's position on invading Iraq, however, even if I didn't agree with it.

[Lucas1]

It doesn't say they are sending people with SARS...it says people that are seeking other types of medical attention...cat scans...MRIs...and the such.

[Sunsong]

Yes, got it. But that doesn't change my view that we should clsoe the border with Canada, unless we get an official, sincere apology from Canada.

[-YYZ-]

"Ok, thanks for the explanation. I was wrong. But it doesn't change my view about closing the border. Nor does it change my view about the irresponsibility of Canada."

Thanks for conceding the point. I still think you're wrong headed, and I hope you'll think different when you've cooled down a bit, but as you say it's your right to hold whatever opinions you want.

[Sunsong]

Your anti-Americanism sucks! I don't know how you have the gaul to write here.

[Lucas1]

Quote "May I point out that this is the EXACT time a hospital is NEEDED! Do you think it's for the use of people who are well?

This is as dumb as saying you would turn your back on a friend when he needs your support ...... er ..... sorry ..... forgot you were Canadian ........"

The clinics are OPEN...people are NOT being turned away that need care. Get YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT...I live here and I know. You can go into the clinics at any time you need attention. They are not allowing visitors...and others of that sort. IF YOU NEED MEDICAL HELP YOU CAN GET MEDICAL HELP. You have no clue what you are talking about...when you say people who need care are being turned away. I just returned from the clinic to get a prescription filled.

Geezus people...if you don't know what you are talking about...then just don't say anything...you will look a bit smarter that way.

And as an American here...I can say that there are a lot of Canadians that HATE the current government leaders. They are ashamed of what is going on...and has gone on over the past few months. Disgrace...

[Henchman]

EXACTLY! Great article. It hits Hillary where she and PM CRETAN breathe. Interesting in that I heard Canadians finance their Socialized Medicine with gasoline taxes - do they now get a discount per gallon?

In their workers' paradise, if someone is ill and the employer signs a note that the worker is needed etc., they jump to the head of the line for needed surgery. At least we were even before, we went to Canada for cheaper prescription drugs and they came here for cheaper clothes and medical care - oops, now they are flocking here - wait till the epidemic really starts. (BTW the drugs we buy on the cheap in Canada are supplied to Canada at a discount price from US manufacturers. If drug stores were charged the same, there would be some savings as we wouldn't have to go to Canada.

[saluki_in_ohio]

So you're just using it as an excuse to bash Canada.

Once again, read any of my previous posts, you will see that I don't bash Canada, only its government.

Well, hopefully Ontario will finally come to its senses and elect enough Canadian Alliance MPs so that Canada will elect a truly conservative government.

Now, you can go back to your regular CBC programming...

[Henchman]

"Ummm sorry people to bust your bubbles...but your system won't be working either if SARS breaks out like it has up here. Good luck...and remember your arrogance once it has"

Sorry but yoour system will collapse, we will close the border and await the (US)CDC to give us the cure - if there is any left, you folks can have sloppy seconds - as is usual and the custom of the French Canadians.

[Snowyman]

My mother-in-law is in palliative care in a locked down hospital . She's allowed two visitors at a time, any time. But each time you go in you are quizzed and required to sign. And wash your hands.

[-YYZ-]

I'm not anti-American at all. As a Canadian I have a healthy suspicion of the motives of the US gov't, as do most of your own citizens. As far as regime change in Iraq goes, it certainly looks like a good thing that Saddam is gone, but it will be interesting to see if things are really any better there 10 or 20 years down the road. But in any case, I would never boo the US national anthem, or make rude comments to American children here to play hockey. And like most, I was appalled by the 9/11 attacks, and never did imply that it was the US's fault or that you had brought it upon yourselves.

BTW, the "Gauls" were a tribe in northern Europe a couple thousand years ago. The word you're looking for is "gall", if you're going to keep using it.

[VeniVidiVici]

That's nice. I can get one at a private clinic in Hull Quebec for $750... I can get a MRI in Sudbury in 5-7 days or if I want to drive to Timmins,(which would be a 5 hour drive for me) tomorrow. At no cost.

Can you explain? Why would anybody open a private MRI clinic if one can get a FREE MRI with little to no wait? It seems to me that anyone with half a brain would just get the free MRI.

[Born in a Rage]

They should be refused in the hospitals here. They will spread the illness to us! Besides, aren't the French going to help them?

[-YYZ-]

This was the first thing you posted in this thread:

"I don't want to make light of the SARS epidemic, but take note that Canadians have to go south of the border to get the care they need.

And to think some in this country want socialized medicine..."

Which sounds like a bit of a bash to me, given the facts.

"Well, hopefully Ontario will finally come to its senses and elect enough Canadian Alliance MPs so that Canada will elect a truly conservative government."

Unlikely to happen. Unfortunately, rightly or wrongly (I think partially rightly) the CA (formerly the Reform party) is seen as the home to a variety of bigots, racists and bible-thumpers. Because of that, many traditional PC party supporters would sooner vote for the Liberal party (which traditionally was really quite moderate/conservative) than vote for the CA. I worry about that myself, but I'm hungry enough for some political reform in this country that I'd consider voting for them. Unfortunately, I suspect that all their promises of reform will evaporate like so many dreams if they ever actually achieve power.

[aristeides]

HK Health System on Brink (OF COLLAPSE) as SARS Spreads .

By the way, I don't think the health system in Hong Kong is socialized.

[saluki_in_ohio]

Unfortunately, rightly or wrongly (I think partially rightly) the CA (formerly the Reform party) is seen as the home to a variety of bigots, racists and bible-thumpers.

Bigots? Racists? Bible-thumpers? Evidence, please, enlighten me!

Pardon me for being skeptical, but these are typical liberal tactics to smear ones opponents when they are losing in the forum of public opinion, These terms have been used ad nauseum and they have lost their effectiveness here in the US

[Snowyman]

just get the free MRI

Sure but many insurance companies are now asking for MRI's when it comes to certain policies. Many people just want to have one , say annually , just to make sure nothing is sneaking up on them. How many MRIs are paid for by people in the States that don't really need one? Rather want one

The fact I can get one for free when I need one shouldn't stop any one from paying for one when they want one.