In the second submission from the 1995 book “Life Before Medicare –
Canadian Experiences,” I have excerpted thoughts and a story from Micheline
Mercier, from Montmagny, Quebec.
Ms. Mercier’s thoughts:
I remember the time before the health insurance system was set up. It’s left its
mark on me. I wouldn’t want my grandchildren to live through those frightful
times with its money worries. When we’re forced to go into debt to save the life
of one we love, or simply to give him the care his state of health requires, and we
can’t afford to, it’s very hard on your morale, and difficult to live through. For my
parents and for my curious little ears, it was such a relief when health insurance
came into effect. What torment, what anguish was spared us! I’m a daughter
who’s not forgotten those dark days.
Ms. Mercier’s story:
My mother, often ill, had to see the doctor every month for high blood pressure,
and she also had a lot of eczema. It was enough to drive you crazy with worry.
Often, she’d fail to take her medicine or fail to go and see the doctor through lack
of money. Luckily, my father’s health was good. He worked as a low-paid
labourer. He took any job offered to him and never lacked for work. In spite of
that, life was hard. He never had a car. To save money, he walked to work and
back, morning and night. He took his lunch. There was no possibility of going to a
restaurant or going on a trip, or even of having a beer. His money all went for his
family. Mother would make new things for us out of something old.
I was ten and my sister was eight when my mother gave birth to her third child.
Listening very hard, I was worried that the doctor didn’t want to deliver her at
home. She had to go to the hospital for her life was in danger. They had to figure
out, from their skimpy budget, what that would cost. In those days you didn’t go
into debt to buy luxuries, but for medical care.
Micheline Mercier, Montmagny, Quebec (Life Before Medicare, 1994, p. 82 and
100)
Kevin Larson
Grey Bruce Health Coalition