Thread by @KatuniaOB

Let’s discuss private healthcare for a minute. I have a loved one waiting for joint replacement that can barely walk. Yet they are not “urgent” enough for surgery, AND the AB govt has absolutely decimated healthcare so there are no surgical spots anyway /1 #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

Due to pain and inability to get basic needs met, this person has looked at private costs for the replacement. The surgery only takes place in Ont (I assume it’s due to availability of OR space) so they would have to pay to travel to Toronto for the consult. /2 #abpoli #cdnpoli

So on top of having to pay for travel costs, the consult is $750. The CONSULT. To see if they are a candidate for surgery. The surgery itself out of pocket is $30K. PLUS you have to travel back for reassessment 2 weeks post surgery or stay in Ont /3 #abpoli #cdnpoli

And pay for accommodations and those costs. When all is said and done, it’s likely $35K out of pocket. I see many people in favor of privatization but how many Canadians can actually pay for that themselves? AB health won’t cover anything because it’s “elective” /4 #cdnpoli

And the cost for the surgery is on top of the private costs for MRI which they had to pay for to show the deterioration of the joint. We need to actually spend and build the public system to help all Canadians. It shouldn’t be a tiered health system. /5 #abpoli #cdnpoli

Each of the politicians has their idea for healthcare but have any actually tried to spend MORE on the system to fix the gutting that provincial govts have done? Because I don’t know about you, but I could never afford a $35K bill for essential, life saving treatment. #cdnpoli