Thank God I live in Canada

I just finished watching an episode of the Oprah show in which she was discussing the American health care system, or lack of one, prompted by Michael Moore's documentary "Sicko".

It made me thankful that I live in Canada.

I am thankful that I can seek and receive health care in an emergency no matter how rich or poor I am or what my insurance policy does or does not cover. While in good health you don't really think of it; you take it for granted that when the time comes, your doctor or hospital will see you.

Last February I did get really sick. I had a serious kidney infection, which, if not treated on time, could have affected the unborn baby who I now hold in my arms. I was at that critical 3-months'-pregant stage where something could have happened.

While I could rant and rave on and on about why this makes Canada better than the States, I won't (my future sister-in-law is American, and I guess I'll have to learn to control that side of me). And I know that the Canadian health care system is far from ideal and far from perfect. But people don't have to go bankrupt to receive health care in my country, which is what happened to the family of a friend of mine who is from the States.

Good health care shouldn't only be for the rich or only those who can afford it; people's lives shouldn't have a price tag.