[caya]

Just had to jump in here - Brenda, I am glad you have access to Tykerb, believe me. But would it not be nice if every American citizen, had access to it - without insurance hassles?

I am not sure if Tykerb is available yet here in Canada - it may not be - just like Ireland was slower to get it. I would hope that the US would be the frontrunner in getting the most cutting edge drugs approved before any other developed nation - with all the money that is spent on insurance and research, the US statistically should be out front. (But I have to point out once again that Canada got Herceptin approval for early stagers before the States did).

Once again, I am not saying that the Canadian univeral medical system is perfect - it is not. I just think is more just and humane if EVERY CITIZEN gets equal coverage, without having to stay in a job they hate, or lose, or have to mortgage their house for treatment. It is a basic human right, JMHO. I don't know if you have kids Brenda, but I can tell you that when our first daughter was born (after a totally uneventful pregnancy) there were complications with her birth and she had to stay in the NICU for 10 days. It was a trying time for my husband and I, and I thank G-d I did not have to worry about medical bills, or insurance forms to fill out, or worry about if my daughter would get the best medical care. At the time, nearly 23 years ago, they told me in the States her care would have cost well over $100,000. I can only imagine the horror of not being able to pay for it. When you are seriously ill, you should only have to worry about getting better, not fighting with HMOs and insurance companies about whether or not this scan is necessary, or this drug is covered etc.

JMHO. I truly am grateful for all the medical advances that originated in the United States. I just think that medical health care should be available for all - equally.