Shona Holmes

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Shona Holmes (b. 1964) is a Canadian woman who underwent treatment for a Rathke's cleft cyst in the United States, which she claimed in the media was a brain tumor. Her benign cyst was removed August 1, 2005.[1][2][3][4][5][6] She is a resident of Waterdown, Ontario, a small community in the rural part of Hamilton. In 2007, she described herself as a family mediator.[7][8] In 2008, she described herself as a patient advocate.[2]

September 2007 lawsuit

Holmes initiated a lawsuit against the Ontario government on September 5, 2007.[7][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The Canadian Constitution Foundation sponsored the lawsuit, which also included Lindsay McCreith, a Newmarket, Ontario resident, who travelled to the United States for timely treatment of a brain tumor. Her case cited Chaoulli v Quebec, a Supreme Court of Canada ruling on direct billing filed by Quebec physician Jacques Chaoulli. As of September 2009 the lawsuit remains unresolved.

Youtube video

Holmes published a YouTube video of her appearance on Global TV in 2007. Holmes and her husband have two YouTube channels (homiemagnum and shonaholmes3) where copies were placed for the Canadian Constitution Foundation. This group is backing the joint statement of claim, along with Lindsay McCreith of Newmarket, against the province of Ontario. In 2009, the Holmes story was publicized in the United States debates on American health care reform.[18] Holmes continued to participate in the US health care debate, publishing op-eds in American papers.[2]

Cautionary tale or an exaggeration?

In 2009 her story was presented as a cautionary tale of what Americans could expect if they were to adopt a publicly-funded health care system like the Canadian health care system.[19][20] The ad featuring Holmes was broadcast at a cost of $1.8 million in eight US states.

"We went 100 per cent into socialized medicine and we lost all our options," Holmes said recently of the Canadian system.[21]

According to Holmes she was diagnosed with brain cancer. After being told she would have to wait six months for treatment in Canada, she mortgaged her home to pay $100,000 for treatment at the Mayo Clinic.[3] She is quoted as saying the Canadian health care system failed her. In an ad that was broadcast on American television she said: "If I'd relied on my government, I'd be dead."

Ian Welsh, writing in the Huffington Post, reports that while the Mayo Clinic characterizes Holmes's treatment as a success, they say she had "a Rathke's Cleft Cyst on her pituitary gland".[4] Welsh quoted the John Wayne Cancer Center: "Rathke's Cleft Cysts are not true tumors or neoplasms; instead they are benign cysts." Welsh characterized as "a lie" the US coverage that said the Canadian system failed Holmes.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) interviewed neurosurgeons in Montreal and Toronto who described Holmes' claims as exaggerated; they stated that her condition was a benign cyst which was not a medical emergency.[22]

Canadian reaction

The use of Holmes' claims in the USA stirred great controversy in Canada, where the Canadian health care system is popular across the political spectrum.[23][24][25] The use of her claims triggered comments from Ujjal Dosanjh, the Liberal Party of Canada's health critic, who called Holmes' case "an exception to the rule". Jim Meek wrote in the Halifax Chronicle Herald, commenting on the strength of Canadian's reaction to the Holmes claims:

"Holmes attacked our medical system from inside the U.S., which is seen in this country as an act of High Treason."

Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democratic Party, travelled to the United States, so he could appear on American television to rebut Holmes's claims.[26]

Local reaction

On July 23, 2009, a few days following the publication of the ad, the Hamilton Spectator reported on its front page the troubles faced by another resident of Waterdown, whose home phone was also listed under the name "S. Holmes".[27][28] According to the Spectator, Palmira Holmes was inundated by callers' wanting to chastise Shona Holmes, describing the volume of calls as "like being bombarded". The Spectator commented that the volume of angry calls Palmira was receiving was consistent with the large volume of comments left on Canadian media websites.

"Canadian media websites that have carried items on the ad have registered more than 1,000 critical online comments since Monday. A key area of discussion for critics is whether the facts about Holmes' case are accurately portrayed."

The Toronto Star published a letter to the editor from another Waterdown resident, who had a true brain tumor. She described the care she received in the Canadian health care system as being of "exceptional quality".[29] Her letter concluded with the comment: "I know our health care system works and if Holmes didn't have a problem with her physician what exactly are her motives for taking part in this media spectacle?"

Democrats Abroad reaction

The Hamilton Spectator interviewed Kenneth Sherman, a leader of a group of American expatriates who live in Canada.[27] According to Sherman, Americans who lived in Canada, and received care under the Canadian health care system, recognized that, if Holmes's account was accurate, her case was an atypical one. He challenged the accuracy of Holmes's account. He said the Americans who were members of his group, Democrats Abroad, received care under the Canadian health care system and were considering sponsoring a counter-ad to rebut Holmes' claims.

References

  1. Julie Mason (2009-07-27). "Time for a reality check on CNN's 'reality check'". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.canada.com%2Fwindsorstar%2Fnews%2Feditorial%2Fstory.html%3Fid%3D1d56b2e9-5ee3-47e1-bcf2-55d8d8fb2f05&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Shona Holmes (2008-07-19). "Shona Holmes: Don’t destroy American health system: Canadians need it". Providence Journal. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.projo.com%2Fopinion%2Fcontributors%2Fcontent%2FCT_holmes19_07-19-08_AFART5K_v9.4119004.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Joan Walters (2009-07-18). "Obama health plan foes put on a Canadian face: Hamilton brain tumour survivor tells Americans that Canada's universal care system failed her". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Farticle%2F668284&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Ian Welsh (2009-07-21). "Americans Lives vs. Insurance Company Profits: The Real Battle in Health Care Reform". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fian-welsh%2Famericans-lives-vs-insura_b_241703.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  5. "Canadian defends anti-medicare ad". CBC News. 2009-07-21. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fcanada%2Fstory%2F2009%2F07%2F21%2Fshona-homes-health-care.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-26. 
  6. Lori Robertson (2009-07-22). "Canadian Straw Man: More ads claim Congress is pushing Canadian-style health care". Nebraska State Paper. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnebraska.statepaper.com%2Fvnews%2Fdisplay.v%2FART%2F2009%2F07%2F22%2F4a67e3527d77e&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Tanya Talaga (2007-09-06). "Patients suing province over wait times: Man, woman who couldn't get quick treatment travelled to U.S. to get brain tumours removed". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2FNews%2Farticle%2F253664&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. "Lindsay McCreith, 66, of Newmarket and Shona Holmes, 43, of Waterdown filed a joint statement of claim yesterday against the province of Ontario. Both say their health suffered because they are denied the right to access care outside of Ontario's "government-run monopolistic" health-care system. They want to be able to buy private health insurance." 
  8. Mike Cowie (2009-08-28). "The Great Anti-Canadian-Healthcare Fraudster Joins The Great American Healthcare Debate". OpEd News. http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Great-Anti-Canadian-He-by-Mike-Cowie-090826-247.html. Retrieved 2010-08-27. "Well, the truth is now out and the fact is Shona Holmes never actually had a life-threatening brain tumor, as she's been claiming in those ads and all the interviews she's been giving. Instead, according to the Mayo Clinic where she was treated, her "brain tumor" was actually a Rathke's Cleft Cyst on her pituitary gland and "Rathke's Cleft Cysts are not true tumors or neoplasms; instead they are benign cysts.""  mirror
  9. R Bobak (2007-11-30). "Report showed questions need asking about health care". Niagara this week. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.niagarathisweek.com%2Fopinions%2Farticle%2F140302&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  10. Lynn M. Shanks (2007-09-08). "Bring on two-tier health". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fcomment%2Farticle%2F254335&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  11. Sam Solomon (2007-09-30). "New lawsuit threatens Ontario private care ban: "Ontario Chaoulli" case seeks to catalyze healthcare reform". 4. National Review of Medicine. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalreviewofmedicine.com%2Fissue%2F2007%2F09_30%2F4_policy_politics02_16.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  12. Nadeem Esmail (2009-02-09). "'Too Old' for Hip Surgery: As we inch towards nationalized health care, important lessons from north of the border". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB123413701032661445.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  13. "Auditor says Ontario should post wait times for every surgeon". CBC News. 2008-10-08. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fhealth%2Fstory%2F2008%2F10%2F09%2Fwait-times.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  14. Kevin Gaudet (2007-12-01). "Patients Sue for Private Health Insurance in Ontario". Canadian Free Press. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadafreepress.com%2Findex.php%2Farticle%2F936&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  15. Tom Blackwell (2007-09-06). "Lawsuit challenges ban on private care: Patient Treated In U.S.; Wait list almost cost Ontario woman her eyesight". National Post. Archived from the original on 2009-09-23. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalpost.com%2Fnews%2Fstory.html%3Fid%3Da9bf86b3-590b-4c57-93c8-83d4f163549f%26p%3D2&date=2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-08-02. 
  16. Lindsay McCreith, Shona Holmes (2007-09-05). "Lindsay McCreith and Shona Holmes v. Attorney General of Ontario: Statement of Claim". University of Toronto. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.law.utoronto.ca%2Fhealthlaw%2Fdocs%2Fcase_McCreith.pdf&date=2009-09-24. 
  17. "Lindsay McCreith and Shona Holmes v. Attorney General of Ontario: Statement of Defence". Office of the Attorney General of Ontario. 2008-09-07. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.hamiltonspectator.com%2Faudio%2F14%2F51%2F8e350e7a4da3913757293bc3bc9a.pdf&date=2009-09-24. 
  18. [1]
  19. Jonathan D. Salant, Nicole Gaouette (2009-07-25). "Health-Care Ads ‘Go Over the Cliff’ to Sway U.S. on Obama Plan". Bloomberg L.P.. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fapps%2Fnews%3Fpid%3D20601087%26sid%3DaE9psIrN_KAU&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  20. Calvin Woodward (2009-09-30). "FACT CHECK: Loose facts in health horror story". San Diego Union Tribune. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/sep/30/us-fact-check-obama-opponents-093009/. Retrieved 2010-08-20. "But her story? It's not quite the slam-dunk indictment of socialized medicine that's been portrayed by Republican lawmakers and their allies."  mirror
  21. Alison Smith (2009-07-21). "U.S. Health Care Reform". CBC. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fnational%2Fblog%2Fvideo%2Finternationalus%2Fus_health_care_reform.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-21. 
  22. "Anti-medicare ad an exaggeration: experts". CBC News. 2009-07-31. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fhealth%2Fstory%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fmedicare-ad-exaggeration523.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
  23. Jim Meek (2009-07-25). "Shona’s tumour and Canada’s state of mind". Halifax Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthechronicleherald.ca%2FOpinion%2F1134160.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-25. "THE story of Shona Holmes — brain tumour and all — has thrown Canada’s chattering classes into a tailspin. Holmes attacked our medical system from inside the U.S., which is seen in this country as an act of High Treason." 
  24. Naomi Lakritz (2009-07-24). "Canadian health care hardly a Marxism threat". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calgaryherald.com%2Fhealth%2FCanadian%2Bhealth%2Bcare%2Bhardly%2BMarxism%2Bthreat%2F1823845%2Fstory.html&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-24. "As former federal Health minister Ujjal Dosanjh says, 'I think one of the things that we need to keep in mind is that Ms. Holmes may be an exception to the rule. We shouldn't let extreme exceptions that can happen in any system define the entire system. We, according to her, have a wonderful health-care system, and what we need to do is improve it.'" 
  25. Jill Colvin (2009-07-23). "Critics use Canada to assail Obama's health plan". Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fcritics-use-canada-to-assail-obamas-health-plan%2Farticle1228029%2F&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-25. "An Ontario woman warns Americans she would have died of a brain tumour had she not gone to the United States for private care." 
  26. Joan Waters (2009-07-18). "City woman recruited by health-plan foes in U.S.". Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thespec.com%2Farticle%2F602396&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  27. 27.0 27.1 Carmela Fragomeni (2009-07-23). "You have the wrong S. Holmes". Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thespec.com%2FNews%2FLocal%2Farticle%2F605118&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-25. "Palmira Holmes has been inundated with phone calls from people trying to express their fury over Shona Holmes' decision to become the face of an aggressive American TV ad that slams Canadian-style health care." 
  28. Dana Brown (2009-07-27). "She's glad calls for Shona stopped". Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thespec.com%2FNews%2FLocal%2Farticle%2F607258&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-27. 
  29. "More health care letters". Toronto Star. 2009-07-25. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fcomment%2Farticle%2F671001&date=2009-08-07. Retrieved 2009-07-25. "Shona Holmes is not the only Waterdown woman to have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. But I disagree with her completely. I can't recall a single case of people dying because they have had to wait for a surgery to be scheduled, unless an organ donor couldn't be found. In my experience, priority cases receive attention. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had surgery at Hamilton General four weeks ago to remove it. It took place in a reasonable amount of time and with an exceptional quality of care and to my utmost satisfaction. From personal experience, I know our health care system works and if Holmes didn't have a problem with her physician what exactly are her motives for taking part in this media spectacle?" 

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