How anyone thinks privatizing health care and letting insurance companies dictate treatment and support is a good idea… baffles me.

Insurance companies are FOR PROFIT, which means their goal is to pay out as little as possible—that’s how they make money. They’re not ‘good neighbors’; they’re businesses.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in August 2024 after nearly a year of worsening symptoms. Chemo and radiation were scheduled to start in November, but September and October were a blur of tests, appointments, and emotional upheaval. I was facing the reality of cancer, the need for treatment, and the likelihood of a permanent colostomy—all while raising two kids and working full-time.

By mid-September, I could no longer work effectively, so I used up my sick days and went on EI at less than 50% of my salary, waiting for my long-term disability (LTD) insurance—something I paid for—to kick in. It was supposed to start in January.

In February, the insurance company said they were ‘investigating’ my claim to prove my cancer wasn’t a preexisting condition before my employment. They requested medical records, which my doctor sent. Then they needed to verify those records (in case my doctor was lying) and obtain billing reports from MB Health—by snail mail. Another 30-day delay.

Today they called: My claim is approved—but they wanted to know why I left work in September if treatment didn’t start until November. Seriously? I had to bite my tongue. Hard.

I’m lucky. I had EI. I had an employed husband. I had resources and managed to pay the bills and medical expenses on half my salary. I’m fortunate.

But what about those who aren’t? What if I needed that LTD to keep my kids fed? To pay rent? To get to my daily radiation treatments 50 km away? If working disqualifies you from benefits, and benefits take months to kick in, how are people supposed to survive?

We must support provincial and federal governments that will protect and invest in Canada’s health care system. Profits and bureaucracy should never dictate the health and welfare of our friends, family, and neighbors.

I’m privileged. I’m fortunate. But far too many are not. And I am aware.

~ Michelle Budiwski

March 18, 2025

#PeopleBeforeProfit #CanadaStrong #HealthCareMatters #CheckYourPrivilege