Desperate Fight for Healthcare in Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, there’s a growing concern about women being left behind in Canada’s socialist healthcare system. One case highlights this struggle: Jolene Van Alstyne from Regina has been suffering for eight years from a condition known as normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. This ailment leads to serious issues like nausea, bone pain, and a loss of bone density.

Van Alstyne’s journey has included three surgeries, yet she still needs a specific procedure to address her overactive parathyroid glands. Unfortunately, reports indicate that no surgeons in her province can perform this operation. Although there might be qualified surgeons in other regions of Canada, she’s stuck because she can’t get a referral. Her area’s endocrinologists aren’t accepting new patients, leaving her in a frustrating limbo.

“For eight years, I’ve been stuck on the couch, waiting for the day to end,” she expressed in an interview.

This sense of despair was echoed by Glenn Beck on his show this week, where he described her pain and isolation, stating, “She’s in the ER with all kinds of complications… And she can’t take it anymore.” The situation feels grotesque to Beck, who believes the system would rather let her suffer than help.

Tragically, Van Alstyne has even entertained the idea of assisted dying, a practice in Canada known for its euphemistic term “medical assistance in dying.” She’s faced with the bleak prospect of living with a treatable yet neglected illness.

Her partner, Miles Sandeen, poignantly remarked, “The emotional pain is horrible… There’s no hope for relief.” They feel backed into a corner, struggling with a reality where medical help seems almost unreachable.

Meanwhile, George Carson, a physician approved to assist with medical aid in dying, has evaluated Van Alstyne. He states she’s received the necessary permissions for this option, perpetuating a troubling reality where thousands of Canadians may consider this path as a solution to inadequate healthcare. This year, medical assistance in dying accounted for 4.7% of all Canadian deaths.

Health program director Rebecca Vachon noted that projections indicate over 16,500 people might pursue assisted dying in the coming year, reflecting a steep increase since last year.

Canada’s healthcare issues are compounded by an aging population and rising demand, largely influenced by immigration policies overseen by the current government. The statistics paint a stark picture—with a significant percentage of the population lacking timely access to necessary medical care.

Beck has taken a personal interest in helping Van Alstyne. He suggested that if there was a qualified surgeon in the U.S., they would cover her expenses to receive treatment there. He made a heartfelt appeal on his show, emphasizing how crucial it is to intervene and save her life, especially leading up to Christmas.

Interestingly, a recent poll revealed that a notable percentage of Canadians are considering travelling to the U.S. for medical treatment if needed, showing increasing frustration with the home healthcare system.

As this case unfolds, it raises numerous questions about the current state of the healthcare system in Canada and whether there’s a better way forward for patients like Van Alstyne. “Isn’t there something better?” her partner pondered, highlighting the urgent need for change.