8 years ago: Had a physical done, nothing special came of it
7 years ago: Family doctor moved to the other end of town, a 1 hour drive when there is no traffic
7 years ago: Attempted to get new doctor and not allowed by Canada’s health care system – If you have a doctor, you cant get another, there is a doctor shortage
7 – 1 year ago: Been going to a walk-in clinic when ever I needed to see the Doc, every time I am asked, who is your family doctor, I say, its doctor XYZ, and my file at the doc is updated
1 year ago: I tore my achilles tendon, had surgery, followed up with surgeon, did not see my family doctor, no need to go across the universe when I am dealing with the surgeon direct
2 month ago: Needed to get a test done, called walk-in clinic, got appointment, went, waited a few hours, saw doc for 5 minutes, super rushed, no time to talk, did test, and waited 2 weeks for the results. Was told I was lucky to get them that fast, good news (no issues).
2 weeks ago: Decided to finally go see my Doc for a general check up.
2 Weeks ago: Called for appointment, and Doc said. You have not been here in our office for more than 5 years, you are no longer our patient
2 weeks ago: I asked where are my files? We don’t have any files for you. What happened to all the health records I have been send you for 8 years now? We reject them, we have no history on you. 8 years, poof, gone…..
2 weeks ago: Attempted to get a new family doctor.
2 weeks ago: Finding new doctor, no possible, there are no doctors available

So here I am, no medical history, no doctor, must go on a waiting list….. In the mean time, go to a clinic or emergency room.

1 week ago: We got a cat, our neighbor’s dog found her, and our neighbor asked if we wanted her, yes was the answer, we got a cat, called her Stella

1 week ago: Called a vet ( A private service in Canada), appointment was set up for the same day

1 week ago: Stella got a doctor who gave her a FULL 1 hour checkup, shots, full test, results in for all the work by the second day.

1 week ago: Stella got an online user id/password where we can go online and check her test results, track her history, and in case we decide to go to a different vet, move her profile and not a single piece of data is lost.

Canada is the only country that treats cats and dogs better than humans. The fact that I can not get health care and my cat can is a big failure in human care. Sad for a country that claims to be the beacon of Human rights in this world. I know social nut jobs say we need a single payer system, but please justify why my cat can get health care on demand but not me?

Canada also happens to be the only country, where you can not purchase a legally available service with your own money. Money that you legally earned, paid taxed on, and saved. In Canada you can buy pot with your money, you can do/buy a lot of illegal/under the table things with your money. You can waste it all at the casino, you can spend $500000 on a car if you want, you can do it all, except the one thing that is the most important to you, your family, and your existence, look after your health.

Canada, in the words of twitter. #fail #doublefail, #triplefail