Canadian Politics - Healthcare

[JimmyCracksCorn]

This ruling will not bring "American style" health care to Canada, not by a longshot.

It simply lifts a ban on private systems operating parallel to the public one or, in other words, a two-tier system. In fact, most developed countries in the world have two tier systems, Canada is unique in not having one. And in most countries (like in the EU) health services are still free...

I don't see the problem. Seems more like a blow to the national image than anything else.

[notyoueither]

This is an excellent example of exactly what is wrong with Canadian healthcare. The Yanks get brought up as a boogyman. Thou shalt not have any private healthcare.

OK. It's back to the Cuban model for us.

[Ben Kenobi]

Where have I suggested that the system ought to be dismantled? I think that there are things that ought to be done to the system to improve it and fix the problems that do not involve dismantling.

Secondly, it isn't fair to compare private and public spending with public spending. What would Canadians spend on health care were they given the option to spend money as they see fit?

[Odin]

Health should not be for sale. I find giving a person more of a right to good medical attention just because that person has lots of money dispicable. Healthcare is not a consumer good to be baought and sold, it is a vital public service.

[Ben Kenobi]

Health is always for sale, just look at how much the drug companies profit. If you believe health should not be for sale, than that ought to shut down every single company that develops drugs, since that is what they are selling, health.

I agree that there should be some health care available to everyone, but also, that if people want extraordinary care, that they should be able to pay to obtain the service.

[Voltaire]

The point I was trying to make was not that a two-tier system is in it of itself a bad thing, but that no one looks at any other possible ways of solving the problems. Two-tire healthcare is not the only solution, in fact I don’t see it as a solution at all; it doesn’t attempt to solve the problems of the public system, but rather merely is a means of remedying them, it’s not a cure, but rather a treatment. What we should be doing is looking at ways to fix the public system we already have in place and reform it.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Odin
Health should not be for sale. I find giving a person more of a right to good medical attention just because that person has lots of money dispicable. Healthcare is not a consumer good to be baought and sold, it is a vital public service.

Then you would not want to live in that running capitalist, pig-dog state known as Sweden.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Voltaire
The point I was trying to make was not that a two-tier system is in it of itself a bad thing, but that no one looks at any other possible ways of solving the problems. Two-tire healthcare is not the only solution, in fact I don’t see it as a solution at all; it doesn’t attempt to solve the problems of the public system, but rather merely is a means of remedying them, it’s not a cure, but rather a treatment. What we should be doing is looking at ways to fix the public system we already have in place and reform it.

Except, only North Korea and Cuba try to do everything through the state. Not even the Yanks are so stupid to do it all one way.

We're in good company with our North Korean and Cuban cousins.

[notyoueither]

Great Britain, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and on, and on...

All these countries have a blended system where the public system guarantees care for everyone and a private system is there to take pressure off the public.

Do the rich get better care? No doubt. Incidently, how many PMs in recent years have gone for private treatment of themsleves or their families?

[notyoueither]

Does anyone have a link to an article on Hargrove going to the front of the line for a recent medical issue?

[notyoueither]

In Canada, if you have pull you go to the front of the line. If you have money you go to the States.

Oh sorry, you thought millionaires with cancer stay here for treatment?

Could I sell you a slightly used bridge?

[Tingkai]

The problem with the two-tier system is that it creates administrative inefficiencies that lead to higher costs. Besides, if the rich have their own private system, they'll pressure government to cut funding to the public system.

Conservative ideologues get blinded by their desire to have a free market in everything. The goal should not be a free market. The goal is to provide the best health care possible within reasonable limits.

[notyoueither]

Yes, the free market, dog eat dog economy that Sweden is should be a warning to us all.

[Dinner]

It seems most people have a two tier system. A public system which gives everyone basic coverage then a second for profit system where people with money can pay extra to get more. It fills a demand and improves the system as a whole by lowering wait times and improving patient to staff ratios.

[Tingkai]

Well, I suppose everyone already has a two-tiered system. If you want an operation done quickly, just go to Thailand.