US citizen giving birth in Canada

Canadian_Nurse · Feb 1, 2007

I'm an ob nurse here in Canada...you have to live here for a few months to get health care coverage as far as I understand...maybe three months in Nova Scotia, I'm not sure. Good luck!

Jo Dirt · Feb 1, 2007

My husband wants to know if the child will be a citizen of the country? He said if so, it will be worth the move...personally, I think I would like Canada, and I know he would.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 1, 2007

Just moving up there will not get you immiediately covered. Remember that to move up there, you need to find a job first that can petition you so that you have a visa that will permit you to work there. Same thing for a foreigner that wishes to work in the US. You need a visa that will permit you to work. Do not think that you will get that done before you deliver.

kiwi_kisses · Feb 2, 2007

u have to be a candian citizen for three monthes. we have universal coverage for all people, poor and rich. if u cant afford the $75 monthly charge and make less than a certain amount for income, u get the coverage for free. i'm a student so i can't afford to be working much and therefore i get medical coverage for free. I really cant tell you much more, sorry

Karmen

charebec65 · Feb 2, 2007

Can you not get another job? I worked up until my last baby was born and I'm a high risk, cardiac patient. I had to quit with my twins as it was way too dangerous but my hubby had insurance. If not, why does your husband not get a job with insurance? Once upon a time I was a waitress at a local restaurant and we had awesome insurance.

Fiona59 · Feb 2, 2007

You don't have to be a citizen to have health care. You have to be a resident of the province for three months. Our refugees are covered by the federal govt.

Back in the late '80s quite a few women flew over to have their babies in Canada (to obtain citizenship prior to HongKong being handed back to mainland China), checked out with the baby and left the country without paying their bills.

It's not a novel or unheard of plan...

charebec65 · Feb 2, 2007

You don't have to be a citizen to have health care.
Back in the late '80s quite a few women flew over to have their babies in Canada ..., checked out with the baby and left the country without paying their bills.
It's not a novel or unheard of plan...

Hmmmm, sounds very familiar, similar to what happens here in the states.

Jo Dirt · Feb 2, 2007

The old man "can't" work. He's blind. I "can't" work, either, I've got sciatica something awful (actually, I am doing private duty on the weekends, but it has no health insurance). If I understand correctly, insurance won't take a 5 mo pregnant woman, anyway (and so-called insurance anymore is about a joke).

Well, I am 19 weeks pregnant. If I leave soon I can make it. Canada takes political refugees, why not financial ones?

Sure, it looks bad to leech of the government, but I say there is just no shame in the world anymore (as I head for the border).

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 2, 2007

The old man "can't" work. He's blind. I "can't" work, either, I've got sciatica something awful (actually, I am doing private duty on the weekends, but it has no health insurance). If I understand correctly, insurance won't take a 5 mo pregnant woman, anyway (and so-called insurance anymore is about a joke).
Well, I am 19 weeks pregnant. If I leave soon I can make it. Canada takes political refugees, why not financial ones?
Sure, it looks bad to leech of the government, but I say there is just no shame in the world anymore (as I head for the border).

why should any country take financial refugees??? Would make it interesting on what you say at the border when crossing.

Shame on you is all I can say

Lovely RN · Feb 2, 2007

Since you aren't working and your husband disabled maybe u can qualify for a state medical card. In Illinois there are medical programs just for pregnant moms check out www.allkidscovered.com . Click on moms and babies link. The program offers immediate coverage when your income and fact that you are pregnant are verified. Good luck I hope this helps.

charebec65 · Feb 2, 2007

Even people with disabilities work. Yes, even those who are blind. I know a couple who are both deaf. Both got college degrees, both have jobs and they are successfully raising hearing children......paying their own way.

I hate to sound callous but if sciatica were my only health concern I would be grateful. I work with it every day and have for many years. My spine looks like an S, I have bulging disks, degenerative disk disease and associated issues. Let's see, I also have uncorrected femoral anteversion and tibial torsion resulting in a lot of hip and knee pain. Add to that the cardiovascular (mitral valve prolapse, wolff parkinson white syndrome, dual AV nodes resulting in many episodes of what they call dual AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, and HTN even on htn rx) and probable multiple sclerosis. I have more issues but that's more than enough.....and I don't ask for pity and still work. Nope it's not always easy but I don't make excuses. It's possible to work with sciatica, even pregnant.

I have no problems with people being on government sponsored programs if they are truly in need but I've not always had insurance and have had medical issues since birth. It just took perseverence and a long time to pay all the bills off.