FTFA need $1-million-a-year in therapy that isn't covered by the government because it has yet to be approved in Canada.

What? I thought those guys up there had "universal" health care?

thank god those kids are "cute and little," otherwise they'd be screwed

TTIUWP

[sarcasm]No flame war about healthcare systems yet? I'm disappointed.[/sarcasm]

/yay for humanitarian strippers.

Yay Peelers!


A new enzyme therapy, idursulfase, is available to treat the genetic disorder, but it has yet to be approved.

A spokesman for Alberta Health and Wellness said idursulfase can be made available to patients on a case-by-case basis on their doctor's recommendation.

Sounds like Mom needs to have a word with the Doctor. BTW, why did she have three kids knowing that that she had this genetic predisposition?

Who needs an excuse?

"isn't covered by the government because it has yet to be approved in Canada.

What? I thought those guys up there had "universal" health care?"

Cool!

The Canadians must really want a system just like ours?

Right?

Thread useless without pics

Listen closely: you Finally have Random capiTalization in The Headline.

Heh, great headline, minus the caps!

StrikitRich: Sounds like Mom needs to have a word with the Doctor. BTW, why did she have three kids knowing that that she had this genetic predisposition?

Because, you know, women just haaaave to have babies, even if it's stupid, and they have genetic illnesses that will be passed on, and then, when they can't aford the treatment, well, everyone else should pay for it becaus, after all, think of the children.

This is one of the few times I'd have an Excuse Not To Go.

meh...

useless without pics.....
/1st class window seat plz.

I for one welcome our new, fund-raising, stripper overlords.

/got nuthin

The same broad squirted out three little science projects? Holy crap, sterilize that betty, POST HASTE!

serpent_sky: Because, you know, women just haaaave to have babies, even if it's stupid, and they have genetic illnesses that will be passed on, and then, when they can't aford the treatment, well, everyone else should pay for it becaus, after all, think of the children.

It takes two to have kids you know...and most of the women I know wouldn't have kids if they knew they would be passing on fatal genetic disorders, so don't make this out to be all women's faults.

I am a professional stripper.

So I am really getting a kick out of most of these replies.

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about.

But trust me.... You don't.

I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you don't know what you are talking about.

This is how bad info gets passed around.

If you don't know about the topic....Don't make yourself sound like you do.

Cuz some Farkers believe anything they hear.

should have said "aboot"

Experimental treatments don't get paid for by any health insurance company that I know of. As far as universal health care, google up "postcode lottery" and see what you get. England's National Health Service has been sued numerous times for denying medications and treatments to patients based on where they live and the cost of the treatment or medication.

(Yes, Brits, its an oversimplification of the problem, but I am not doing the research for these people.)

Bartender_Babs: serpent_sky: Because, you know, women just haaaave to have babies, even if it's stupid, and they have genetic illnesses that will be passed on, and then, when they can't aford the treatment, well, everyone else should pay for it becaus, after all, think of the children.

It takes two to have kids you know...and most of the women I know wouldn't have kids if they knew they would be passing on fatal genetic disorders, so don't make this out to be all women's faults.

You're right, of course. And in this case it appears that the same two people had three kids, each of which is affected by a very rare genetic disorder. To top it off, genetic counseling (pops) and prenatal testing are possible for this disorder. Somewhere along the line, these two people (the mother and the father) decided that they didn't care about the risks, or the fact that their kids will likely die before they reach 15 years old.

If there's an upside to this, it's that the genetic material possessed by these brilliant adults will not be passed on to another generation. Unfortunately, they could still adopt (if she really wants to be a mother and not a full-time nurse, as she states in TFA), and thus pass their reasoning skills on to kids through non-genetic means.

It's sad when one child is born with something like this. When the same couple has three kids, it's just cruel. To the kids.

Ya gotta admit, when it comes right down to it, women are objects. Am I right, fellas!?

Bon_Scott: I am a professional stripper.

So I am really getting a kick out of most of these replies.

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about.

But trust me.... You don't.

I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you don't know what you are talking about.

This is how bad info gets passed around.

If you don't know about the topic....Don't make yourself sound like you do.

Cuz some Farkers believe anything they hear.

I assume this is a generic reply stating I work in "said field" and you guys are dumb.

skankboy

I assume this is a generic reply stating I work in "said field" and you guys are dumb.

Did you register for your account in 2001 then get sent to prison for 5 years?

Ya gotta admit, when it comes right down to it, women are objects. Am I right, fellas!?

Huh?

Canadian strippers, eh?

They must be teh hawt.

EvelFarknievel

Canadian strippers, eh?

They must be teh hawt.

Me, you and Studman69 aren't big fans of sharp knees. I'm with you, brother!

it's belive, not believe... sheesh...

"Our government should be paying for this," the frustrated mom said. "I'm a taxpayer, too."

You mean the government should force everybody else to pay for your f'd up kids? I dunno, maybe that's how it works in Canada. In the USA I'd say tough. Get better insurance and start calling charities 'cause them kids ain't right.

fireballfreddy

You mean the government should force everybody else to pay for your f'd up kids? I dunno, maybe that's how it works in Canada. In the USA I'd say tough. Get better insurance and start calling charities 'cause them kids ain't right.

Wow. Just wow.

Yes, there are some steps the mom should follow, but you have no understanding about the Canadian (or United States) medical system. At all.

StrikitRich: Sounds like Mom needs to have a word with the Doctor. BTW, why did she have three kids knowing that that she had this genetic predisposition?

In another article on this story it said that the disease didn't manifest in the oldest child until after she had her youngest child.

As for getting the drug, her story only came out on Wednesday. There has probably been an application made to get the drug covered, and I suspect that it will be approved, since the drug is FDA-approved in the States, if only to avoid bad publicity, but the mother's going to make a public stink about it until it is.

fireballfreddy: "Our government should be paying for this," the frustrated mom said. "I'm a taxpayer, too."

You mean the government should force everybody else to pay for your f'd up kids? I dunno, maybe that's how it works in Canada. In the USA I'd say tough. Get better insurance and start calling charities 'cause them kids ain't right.

Holy crap. I missed that part of the article. She's a taxpayer, and therefore, is entitled to three million dollars a year in government health care? The artcile clearly said the treatments are one million a year. That is the most obscene case of self-entitled parenting I have ever read about in my life. Wow.

fireballfreddy

If she was in the US and had the best insurace available but the drug was only approved in Canada and not in the US, her private insurance company wouldn't cover it either.

The drug treatment would be $1M/yr for ALL THREE of them.

Still not a bargain, but our health care coverage is paying for a lot of people with a lot of diseases, many of whom are probably racking up $333,333 in fees for surgery, hospital stays, drugs, etc.

And if you are employed in the states, and you have employer health care coverage, you are being "taxed" anyway by your employer taking money from your paycheque and putting it into the insurance policy, which is a pool too, so you're already paying for millions of dollars in healthcare for other people if you have any health insurance. In fact you're paying more because the system is more inefficient and expensive in the US. How do you think the system works?

She's a taxpayer, and therefore, is entitled to three million dollars a year in government health care?

I was a private insurance payer (which in this case is analagous to the Canadian government) and felt like I was etitled to $250,000 in treatment for cancer. They did, too. Was I wrong? Is there a point where we see, "Sorry, your life isn't worth that much."

Of course, in this case it wasn't the money at all. A $20 experimental drug wouldn't be covered by private insurance or the government.

But the amount of money is a no-issue. Medical care is expensive. If the government decides it will be the insurer, then it should pay (again, this case is different but you were focusing on the $3 million). If approved treatment is $3 million and she is a taxpayer in Canada, then hell yes she is entitled to it.

Once more for clarity:

The treatment costs $1 million total for all three kids, not $3 million.

Make sure your indignation is at least valued accordingly.

Carry on.

tonesskin: Did you register for your account in 2001 then get sent to prison for 5 years?

Not really, but I also have a life off Fark. Try it some time... Girls aren't as scary as you think they are.

tonesskin: But the amount of money is a no-issue. Medical care is expensive. If the government decides it will be the insurer, then it should pay (again, this case is different but you were focusing on the $3 million). If approved treatment is $3 million and she is a taxpayer in Canada, then hell yes she is entitled to it.

Note to self: do not move to Canada, as apparently, your taxes really go to paying for other people's mistakes.

Three million dollars to keep her stupid kids alive? I'm sorry, but no person [and before you ask, YES, I include myself in this designation] is worth one million dollars of taxpayers' money. This lady's three farked-up kids, if they get his treatment, place a huge burden on the system, the people, and the country itself. That's... just amazing. And she feels entitled to it.

Mind-blowing. Three million dollars a year. *shaking head*

ruta: The treatment costs $1 million total for all three kids, not $3 million.

Ah, misunderstanding there. Well, you know what? Three kids are not worth $1 million in burden to others, either. It's about a third less outrageous, but still well off the 1-10 scale of outrageousness that she's this self-entitled.

I for one, intend to travel to Alberta to do my part for the little tykes. If I have to go through in upwards of 50 lapdances, I will see to it that they get the care they need!

TTIUWP

Not really, but I also have a life off Fark. Try it some time... Girls aren't as scary as you think they are.

Oh, BURN! You got me. I'm lifeless. And scared of "girls."

The treatment costs $1 million total for all three kids, not $3 million.

Make sure your indignation is at least valued accordingly.

Carry on.

Which is technically a bargain. I got off light for $250k for cancer treatment. That's back when I was even more scared of "girls" (because I was at the age where I dated "girls").

Three kids are not worth $1 million in burden to others, either. It's about a third less outrageous, but still well off the 1-10 scale of outrageousness that she's this self-entitled.

Wow. LET THEM DIEEEEEE!!!!!

Note to self: do not move to Canada, as apparently, your taxes really go to paying for other people's mistakes.

Ric Romero says: Universal health care works much the same way as the American system, except in Canada taxpayer money is much like insurance premiums, while in the states you are either covered by your insurance premiums OR the government.

Insurance works that way. Most people pay more than they need. But some get major benefits, which they are contractually entitled (I hate that word) to. Don't like it? Pay for all medical care out of pocket. Have fun with that!

so is the "strippers saving kids" trifecta in play?
what with the florida stripper v. pit bulls yesterday?

Wow. LET THEM DIEEEEEE!!!!!

I realize in this specific case death is likely no matter what. However, there are lots of times where treatment that can be life-saving would cost $1 million (or $333,333).

Oh my god, what kind of sick farker keeps having kids in that situation?

tonesskin: hile in the states you are either covered by your insurance premiums OR the government.
That's not true. There are a lot of people who don't have insurance who also do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. How do I know this? I lived in this grey area for four years. I made enough that I didn't qualify for government aid, but I also did not make enough to afford private insurance, and the jobs I had did not offer it.

Insurance works that way. Most people pay more than they need. But some get major benefits, which they are contractually entitled (I hate that word) to. Don't like it? Pay for all medical care out of pocket. Have fun with that!
Ha! Ha! I have! It's not a good time, believe me, and I'm still paying off a few things from earlier in the year. I got insurance when my freelance job went full-time, last November, and it's great. I also realize they won't cover just any procedure I want; it's at their discretion, regardless of what my employer/I pay into it.

serpent_sky

Do you have health insurance of any kind? Then you are paying for other people's health care, including cases that cost a third of a million, easily, like, say, your average heart transplant.

That's not true. There are a lot of people who don't have insurance who also do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. How do I know this? I lived in this grey area for four years. I made enough that I didn't qualify for government aid, but I also did not make enough to afford private insurance, and the jobs I had did not offer it.

Actually, not to be snarky, but did you actually research alternatives? There are tons. I didn't pay a dime for copays. I went to the American Cancer Society.

There are charity hospitals. All pharmaceutical companies have programs for people who are in the "grey area" but still can't pay for drugs (even psychiatric drugs which aren't "necessary for survival").

Only way you don't get medical care in America is if you don't try.

I also realize they won't cover just any procedure I want; it's at their discretion, regardless of what my employer/I pay into it.

1) Contractual obligations exist. Read their contracts. They can't accept/deny on a whim.

2) Legal obligations exist (governed by statute).

My insurance company, when I switched, called cancer a pre-existing condition.

The way it worked out, they were breaking the law. But I didn't even have to go that far because they were breaking their own conract of classifying preexisting conditions and exceptions to their rule. I filed a complaint with my insurance department in my state and got a nice apology letter in about 10 days. And they paid for my CT-scans (I was cancer-free, but needed checkups).

Also, there are government programs in the states aside from medicare and Medicaid. For instance, some states have high-risk insurance pools.

...aaaand you just answered my question in your reply to tonesskin. You're paying for entitled parents with Cystic Fibrosis/Spina Bifida/(insert debilitating congenital disease here) right now.

...and through your taxes for Medicaid.

The argument of "No way I'm paying for someone else's health care!" in the U.S. simply does not wash unless you pay no taxes and pay for all your medical care yourself.

ruta: Do you have health insurance of any kind? Then you are paying for other people's health care, including cases that cost a third of a million, easily, like, say, your average heart transplant.

I do now. Oh well. I think the difference, though, is I choose to have insurance now. I could easily opt out of it, though that would be dumb, since it kindly paid in full for my IUD, and will be paying for upcoming surgery.

Insurance, however, can easily deny funding for procedures based on whatever reasons they choose. When I went for the IUD, I had to confirm that they paid for the device as well as the insertion/office visit; some policies require the patient to buy te device and pay the rest.

That said, I think the diference is, I could opt-out. If the government is paying, taxes are compulsory, and peopl are essentially forced to pay for these things. I guess that's what got me; the shock of "the government should be paying for this." It sounds incredibly self-righteous and entitled, though in the scope of universal health care, I suppose it does make sense. Even if it sounds asinine.

I guess today is the first time I've realized I am truly against universal health care.