Our daughter, Mia, would have celebrated her 17th birthday this year, but we lost her to cancer just before she turned four. While this heartbreaking reality was overwhelmingly difficult, we found a silver lining: during Mia’s treatment, we were living in London, where she received care through the National Health Service, a single-payer system that provides free medical services to everyone.
During Mia’s six-month ordeal at Great Ormond Street Hospital, we rarely considered the financial aspects of her treatment. After spending several years in the UK, it felt completely normal to leave a doctor’s office without a bill or to pick up prescriptions without a cost. Looking back, I realize that being able to focus solely on Mia’s care was a profound privilege, and it should be standard in any decent society.
In the U.S., freedom is often associated with minimal government involvement in areas like healthcare. Our experience, however, showed us the opposite. When Mia first exhibited concerning symptoms—often worsening at night, a familiar panic for many parents—we had the freedom to take her to the emergency room multiple times without worrying about costly co-pays or whether an insurance company would deem her fevers and lethargy as valid emergencies.
After an exhausting series of tests, we received the devastating diagnosis: Mia had a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Yet, the British healthcare system continued to grant us freedom. Instead of spending hours negotiating with insurance companies, we could simply cuddle with Mia in her hospital bed, singing her favorite songs from Disney movies. Rather than receiving intimidating letters disputing necessary treatments, we escaped into fairy tales filled with adventure. Instead of being bogged down by bills, we cherished laughter over silly drawings from Mia’s friends at nursery school.
We also witnessed how government-supported healthcare assisted other families in similar situations. One family traveled from a small village in northern England so their daughter could receive treatment from top specialists; they were provided free accommodation. Another father received paid leave to help care for his son, while Mia’s friend from down the hall, benefiting from a brief remission, received a government-funded tutor to aid her continued education. These families were able to remain close to their children during their medical battles without the added burden of financial stress.
The only bill we incurred during Mia’s six-month hospital stay was for her meals at Great Ormond Street’s cafe, where we indulged her with hearty plates of sausage and mashed potatoes on good days. The rest, including her expensive stem cell transplant, was covered by British taxpayers. Strangers, like the anonymous donor from Wales who provided Mia with stem cells, showed us the beauty of a compassionate society where support is given to those in need.
After returning to the U.S. following Mia’s passing, I was struck by a flyer advertising a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help someone cover cancer treatment costs. It hit me hard: why should anyone have to struggle to pay for essential medical care?
Now, over a decade later, it seems alarmingly normal for healthcare to be a privilege rather than a right. Yet, as discussions about the future of healthcare continue, I often reflect on our experience in the UK. Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act has provided some safeguards for families, ensuring that pediatric cancer survivors cannot be charged higher premiums due to their health history. With more families gaining access to Medicaid, fewer face the terrifying prospect of battling cancer without insurance.
Isn’t it time we strive for better? Shouldn’t every family dealing with serious illness have the chance to focus on their loved ones without the looming worry of medical bills, just as we did with Mia? Achieving universal access to high-quality healthcare isn’t an easy task, but it’s a goal worth pursuing. While we may never eliminate the suffering caused by cancer, we can at least mitigate the financial strain.
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In conclusion, our experience with healthcare during a critical time taught us that a supportive system can make all the difference. Let’s advocate for a world where families can focus on healing, unencumbered by financial worry.
Keyphrase: healthcare during a child’s illness
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