* PUBLIC POST *

This is a fair question and in my opinion an objective discussion.

Did Socialized Medicine Cost Natasha Richardson Her Life?

By David Hinz - Posted on March 21st, 2009

The death of actress Natasha Richardson following a skiing accident was a tragedy that has rocked her friends and family in New York and Hollywood, and shocked fans around the world. But her death has led to the question, "Was her death unpreventable, or was it the result of a system of socialized medicine in Canada?"

The first question in my mind when I heard that she was not admitted to a hospital until four hours after the accident raised red flags in my mind. Why would it ever take more than four hours to reach a hospital? The answer is predictable. A local trauma center was not available, and rapid transportation via helicopter was not in the budget.
Quote:

The province of Quebec lacks a medical helicopter system, common in the United States and other parts of Canada, to airlift stricken patients to major trauma centers. Montreal's top head trauma doctor said Friday that may have played a role in Richardson's death.

"It's impossible for me to comment specifically about her case, but what I could say is ... driving to Mont Tremblant from the city (Montreal) is a 2 1/2-hour trip, and the closest trauma center is in the city. Our system isn't set up for traumas and doesn't match what's available in other Canadian cities, let alone in the States," said Tarek Razek, director of trauma services for the McGill University Health Centre, which represents six of Montreal's hospitals.

Richardson, the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and wife of Liam Neeson, hit her head while skiing on the beginner slopes of the Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec, Canada. Briefly losing consciousness, she was taken by sled to the ski resort's clinic, where she regained consciousness and was released.

Reportedly she refused treatment at that time, which might have contributed to her death. Undoubtedly, however, the lack of a head-trauma center near the resort community, and the lack of rapid transportation to a community with a head-trauma center, contributed significantly to her death.

Whatever problems the United States health care system might have when it comes to payments, lack of availability to quality trauma centers is not one of them. Helicopter med-flights are available to even the smallest communities with the most limited resources -- usually on short notice with a simple telephone call.

Socialized medicine guarantees scarcity and shortages, along with long waits for service. As tragic as Richardson's death might have been, the system this nation is contemplating adopting will guarantee more deaths just like hers.

http://www.theminorityreportblog.com/blog_entry/david_hinz/2009/03/21/di...

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