Canadian Faith Based Doctor Sucks

Andrea Markowski said she and her partner Ginette were stunned when the Winnipeg doctor told them during a “meet-and-greet” appointment she was uncomfortable accepting them as patients and had never treated “people like you” before.

The doctor said she only treated “husbands and wives,” said Markowski, who is legally married to her partner of 18 years.

“It was like a kick in the stomach,” said Markowski, who just moved to the city from the Northwest Territories. “It was definitely a traumatic and unexpected experience … She is a doctor who is paid with public funds.

details here

Comments

#1 Lilian Nattel
January 30, 2009

I heard about this at progressivebloggers.ca . It is not acceptable in any way, shape or form, and no consideration for the doctors’ culture of origin makes it acceptable or tolerable. Before Canadian medical licenses are issue to immigrants, they have to present credentials, pass exams, etc. Included in this should be a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and a clear explanation that the expectation is that ALL Canadians have the right to be treated by any doctor of their preference. If someone’s religious beliefs preclude them from doing so, that person has made a mistake in her/his choice of profession. Health care in Canada is publicly funded so that all Canadians can have decent health care. The doctors work for us, the citizens of Canada, all citizens.
#2 Miguel
January 31, 2009

Snarky response: “Oh, I think there’s been a mistake. We didn’t realise that you were religious. We’re actually looking for a medical doctor, not a witch doctor.”
#3 Virgil Samms
January 31, 2009

She is a doctor who is paid with public funds.

Can someone expand on that? Are all doctors in Canada paid with public funds, or is this particular doctor part of a particular publicly-funded program?
#4 Left_Wing_Fox
January 31, 2009

Virgil Samms: Each Canadian province has it’s own single-payer insurance system, and there are slight differences between them. Doctors might have private clinics, but all billing is done through the provincial government medical system. Usually this means a lot of freedom to choose your own doctor, actually, since you can be treated at any ER or by any doctor in the province, without worrying about billing issues.