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Video Testimonials
Shona Holmes (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Shona Holmes, a brain tumor survivor, was told by her local doctor that it would take months to get on the appointment calendar of a neurologist or endocrinologist in Canada. As her vision rapidly deteriorated, Holmes crossed the Canadian border to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. The successful procedure saved Holmes vision and potentially her life.
Upon return to Canada, Holmes’ U.S. health care bills were denied by the government-run health care system that charges her a monthly insurance premium. Shona and her family have been left to cover the costs.
- “Brave sojourn from Ontario; Mayo Clinic neurosurgery restores patient’s vision,” In Our Care (Summer 2007) http://www.mayoclinic.org/patientstories/story-339.html
Holmes is now suing the Ontario government and government-run health care system to allow for private insurance so others, including her children, will never be faced by a health care system unable or unwilling to provide lifesaving treatment without delay or denial. Holmes’ the lawsuit seeks to strike down a Ontario provincial ban on private medicine, private MRI clinics and private health insurance. The Canadian Constitution Foundation, which is supporting her case a similar case in Alberta, hopes to eventually bring the issue before the Supreme Court of Canada.
- “Lawsuit challenges ban on private care,” The National Post, By Tom Blackwell (September 6, 2007) http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=a9bf86b3-590b-4c57-93c8-83d4f163549f
- “Patients suing province over wait times,” The Ontario Star, By Tanya Talaga (September 6, 2007) http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/253664
- “Second Plaintiff Joins Lawsuit Over Timely Access to Health Care; Action Against Government Dubbed ‘Ontario Chaoulli’,” The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) Press Release (September 5, 2007) http://www.canadianconstitutionfoundation.ca/files/pdf/Holmes%20news%20release%205%20…
“Mother’s Tragic Tale Underscores Big Flaws Of Canadian Health Care,” Investor’s Business Daily, Opinion, By Shona Holmes (July 9, 2008) http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp…
Patient Testimonials
- Brian Lee Crowley (Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada)
- Brian Turner (Oaks Green Mount, Rastrick, United Kingdom)
- Dorothy Griffiths (Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom)
- Dr. David Zitner (Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada)
- Grace Paterson (Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada)
- Helen Evans (London, United Kingdom)
- Richard Newman and his son Roy (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
- Shona Holmes (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
- Tim Evans (London, United Kingdom)
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Health Care Fact of the Day
Sixty-six percent of Americans have their blood pressure under control, compared to 43 percent of Canadians and 23 percent of Europeans....learn more.
About the Center for Medicine
The Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (CMPI) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization promoting innovative solutions that advance medical progress, reduce health disparities, extend life and make healthcare more affordable, preventive and patient-centered. CMPI also provides the public, policymakers and the media a reliable source of independent scientific analysis on issues ranging from personalized medicine, food and drug safety, health care reform and comparative effectiveness.