The MDS Beacon™

After struggling with long wait times and lack of options, eighteen-year-old Canadian myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patient Wes Laporte and his family have left the public Canadian health care system and sought assistance in the United States for Wes’ bone marrow transplant and treatment.  On Monday, the family launched the Wes Laporte Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising money for Wes’ treatment, since receiving international services means having to pay entirely out-of-pocket. 

The Canadian health care system is publicly funded and guarantees coverage for all citizens.  The majority of providers are private, receiving government revenues to pay for most medical services.  There is some variability across the country’s provinces as to the exact services covered, but roughly 70% of all health care costs are paid for by the government.

EcuMedical Resources International is Wes Laporte’s ticket to U.S. health-care.  It is a private provider based in Ontario which connects Canadian patients with service providers internationally, many in the U.S.  These patients must pay out-of-pocket and do not receive government support for international care.  EcuMedical’s goal is to provide options to patients who need more immediate care than the Canadian system is able to provide.

Wes Laporte is not the only patient struggling with the system.  Criticism on the Canadian system centers around two items: wait time and availability of medical professionals.   Patients complain of having to wait several months or even years for exams and surgeries as well as long hours for emergency hospital care.  Other complaints involve lack of updated technology and a shortage of specially-trained professionals, such as obstetricians and gynecologists. 

Historically, the U.S. system and Canadian system have been compared frequently and look to each other to determine potential improvements.  Patients in both countries on occasion seek assistance in the other country for various reasons.  The World Health Organization rated the U.S. system as the 37^th best health care system in the world, while Canada received a higher rating of 30^th.  Various criteria contribute to the overall rating. On the specific criteria of ‘responsiveness,’ defined as quality of service for individuals receiving treatment, the U.S. system received a number one rating with Canada at number seven.

In a recent interview, up-coming president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Dr. Anne Doig said, “[Canadians] have to understand that the system that we have right now — if it keeps on going without change — is not sustainable.”  She added that the system is not providing optimal care and is struggling to meet day-to-day demands.  The CMA will meet for conference this Sunday to discuss potential changes, including the possibility of incorporating private health insurance into the public system.

To learn more about Wes’ story, please visit the Wes Laporte Foundation Web site.  For more information on alternative care options for Canadians, please visit the EcuMedical Resources International Web site.