Does Universal Health Care Work Well in Other Countries? A testimonial.

A testimonial from Bobbi Hall, MVHCA member, Legislation Committee

My experience with universal health care in Canada

In 1970 I moved to British Columbia to teach at a University and received my family's health care as part of B.C.'s universal health care.  I received care from a general practitioner who also took care of my spouse and two children. We stayed for four years.

How my spouse was treated by the Canadian health care system [when he took me to a hospital during a camping trip far from home]

In the summer of 1972 when camping I had abdominal pains and passed blood. We went to the nearby town's hospital. He had our two small daughters. It was raining and they were scared. My husband checked me in. He remembered that they asked to see his hospital identification and checked me in at once. There was no charge.

How British Columbians pay for their universal healthcare

Before moving to Canada, we bought a used car that was serviced in B.C.  When I got a British Columbian license for our car I was asked when we bought it and what we paid. I learned I owed sales tax. That seemed tough. But I learned that sales tax paid for our health care.  After four years and many treatments, the sales tax was worth every penny. People must pay for health care.  B.C. chose sales tax and that tax worked there. Other provinces use different taxes to pay for health care.

Advocate for universal health care in Oregon!

Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates in western Oregon is working with an Oregon Task Force to achieve universal health care for all. Join our Advocate’s Meeting on the fourth Monday of every month at 7:00PM Pacific Time.