Hawaii ending universal child health care: "Hawaii is dropping the only state universal child health care program in the country just seven months after it launched."
I pay considerably less in taxes for a family of four (Canada), than my husband does for 4 months of U.S. health insurance, and I have rarely had to pay out of pocket for anything (we did have to pay for an ambulance ride a couple of years ago, and there was one injection-GCSF- that my daughter got to boost her immune system while she was doing chemotherapy that OHIP didn't pay for).
So for 13 years of premature triplets (including about 3-4 weeks of hospital stays for me before their birth, plus assorted ultrasounds, genetic counseling, doctor's visits etc), 9 weeks of NICU for the kids, probably 20 weeks of additional hospitalizations due to pneumonia from the girls' lung damage, then cancer and treatment for one child (about 8 months worth all together including surgery), developmental pediatricians, speech, and occupational therapists as well as a version of ABA because of the autism...I've paid taxes. When I was single, and working, earning over 100,000, I was taxed at about 17% (I understand that's gone up a bit). I paid my "dues". So did my parents...my mom had 13 years of treatment for her malignant melanoma before she passed away. My dad did have to wait about 6 months for his knee replacement, but I think that he was consoled for that by the fact that he could take my mom to the hospital whenever he wanted to.
My husband is paying almost $800/month for his health insurance right now (just for him) through the American company that he works for. We know that it's high, but because he has a "pre-existing condition" he has to. We couldn't move our family to the United States if we wanted to, because even completely aside from the autism, one of my daughters had cancer and we could never get her health care covered, and we could never be sure that any job that WOULD cover her would stay forever.
The United States pays more per capita than any other nation in the world, and yet they can't afford to insure their children have health care in even ONE State? No matter how many times people explain it to me, I will never understand that. Kids growing up in a developed nation deserve more.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Hawaii ending universal child health care
Freakiest fish of 2008
Freaky Fish Contest | Oceana: "This creature is like an octopus-squid hybrid — it has eight arms like an octopus, but it also has long retractable filaments that squids use for hunting. When it feels threatened, it spits bioluminescent clouds from the end of its arms, and it can also go into 'pumpkin' or 'pineapple posture,' inverting its arms over the body so it’s covered in spines"
Putin tries satellite navigation device on his dog - Yahoo! News
Putin tries satellite navigation device on his dog - Yahoo! News
Just because it's such an awesome headline :-)
Snog Away, Teenagers - Scanner
Snog Away, Teenagers - Scanner
Very funny Dick and Jane Styled sex-ed book...definitely not for kids.
The Superficial - Jenny McCarthy claims magical healing powers
The Superficial - Jenny McCarthy claims magical healing powers
Finally, even the stupid gossip mags are realizing that McCarthy has no clue about what she's talking about.
Friday, October 17, 2008
What is it?
What is it?
What a great idea for a blog. He's got some interesting stuff there.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Blog Action Day: Alarming Poverty Statistics - The Seminal :: Independent Media and Politics
Blog Action Day: Alarming Poverty Statistics - The Seminal :: Independent Media and Politics
Scary stuff- and I don't think that Canada is any better than the U.S.
Take On Me: Literal Video Version
YouTube - Take On Me: Literal Video Version
I'd seen this floating around a few days ago, but never had a chance to watch it until this morning. I laughed, pretty hard. I remember the 80s too well.
Ontario failing adults with autism spectrum disorders: report
Ontario failing adults with autism spectrum disorders: report
It's good to see someone worrying about adults for a change.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Truth About Andrew Wakefield
Autism Blog - The Truth About Andrew Wakefield | Left Brain/Right Brain
Great post by a Guest Blogger on LeftBrain/RightBrain . I can't wait to read the book.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lester Bangs audio interview
Lester Bangs audio interview - Boing Boing
I grew up reading Lester Bangs, so this was a thrill to find. Posted through Boing Boing because they also have some interesting articles on him linked.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope that all of my fellow Canadians are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend- YAYYY for turkey! I've got a lot to be thankful for (even aside from turkey).
(the gorgeous image is from FeministLawProfs)