Canada's Private Clinics Surge as Public System Falters

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Incidently, it isn't lack of funds. Canada spends more per capita on health than most of the OECD.

Canada has to pay higher salaries in order to compete with the United States. If salaries were lower in Canada, more medical professional might move to the States.

Most European nations can pay their doctors less because they do not face direct competition from the U.S.

Also, just because Canada pays a higher per capita on health care than most OECD nations doesn't mean that the Canadian health care system is adequately funded.

[notyoueither]

We don't pay higher salaries. The provinces decide what will be paid and the talent flees South. There were no private facilities that could set the bar higher and keep people here who were motivated by dollars.

As for more being spent per capita, but still not enough, the tax payers (voters) are telling the governments that it is enough. We have to balance the public 'good' with the public will to pay for it, and increasingly the middle class are unwilling to write a blank cheque for substandard treatment. They are demanding choices and better value for their dollar.

[Drake Tungsten]

I can't wait to get back to America, in terms of health-care at least. The waits at Japanese hospitals are frustrating and they don't seem to be anything compared to the waits in Canada...

[Tingkai]

We pay higher salaries compared to most other OECD nations. That would explain why Canada's per capita health care spending is higher than many OCED nations.

As for health care spending, Canadian voters have never said that they want less money spent on health care. Quite the opposite. Most would want more money allocated to health care, as oppose to say spending billilions on white elephant ice breakers.

[notyoueither]

Uhhhm, the guys for ice breakers and tax cuts won the last election, but thanks for playing, Tingkai.

[Tingkai]

Two-thirds of Canadians voted against the Conservatives. Thanks for playing NYE.

[notyoueither]

Incidently, can you show a source for the higher salaries?

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Two-thirds of Canadians voted against the Conservatives. Thanks for playing NYE.

And the Tories won. If they hadn't, the Liberals would have. Put the votes of the parties wanting tax cuts together, and what do you get? Can you say absolute majority, Tingkai?

In none but your fantasyland would you find the Canadian middle class voting for massive tax hikes to pay for your dreamland of public welfare, including the unmaintainable healthcare system.

So thank you very much for playing, Tingkai.

[Tingkai]

Sorry, wrong answer, again, as usual.

The majority of Canadians were smart enough not to vote for the fools who will squander billions on military white elephants, money that could be used for health care.

Canadians have said time and time again that they want more resources put into health care. This is why every political party advocated spending more on health care.

If you can't recognize this basic part of Canadian politics then you are completely out of touch with reality.

And Canadians are smart enough not to buy the crap spewed by fearmongers like yourself who make the wild claim that higher health spending must result in higher taxes. Canadians know that the government is running a surplus and that this money could be put into health care without raising taxes.

But don't worry, we have some nice parting gifts for you.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Incidently, can you show a source for the higher salaries?

The Romanov report, an indepth study of the problems facing the Canadian health care system and ways to solve the problems, gave details about the higher salaries in Canada relative to most of the OECD.

[notyoueither]

Canadians have said time and time again that they want more resources put into health care. This is why every political party advocated spending more on health care.

Exactly.

It is the sacred cow. Nobody is going to campaign against it. OTOH, the voters vote for lower taxes and no one in their right mind is willing to present the bill to the electorate for what is expected.

Meanwhile, the SCoC has cast the holy cats among the temple pigeons, to borrow a phrase. Individual rights trump collective desires.

Now the politicians have been saved from themselves. They don't have to campaign for change. They can rightly point to the SC and say they can do nothing. Change is coming, no matter what you or they want.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Tingkai


The Romanov report, an indepth study of the problems facing the Canadian health care system and ways to solve the problems, gave details about the higher salaries in Canada relative to most of the OECD.

You can show us where it says Canada has the relatively high salaries?

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/pdf/romanow/pdfs/HCC_Final_Report.pdf

[notyoueither]

Woops

[alva]

Most European nations can pay their doctors less because they do not face direct competition from the U.S.

Actually, we do.
There has been some talk even about docters, madatory, spending (and working) a couple of years at home (to repay their education cost).

[Tingkai]

"Recent trends in these negotiations and settlements threaten to become a major cost driver.
Even before the substantial increases in the past few years, the incomes of Canadian doctors and
nurses were at the very upper end of the OECD-country scale. In 1992, for example, physician
incomes in Canada were considerably higher than France, Australia, Japan, Sweden and the
United Kingdom. Only Germany and the United States had comparable or higher rates of
remuneration. The situation for nurses was similar. This leads the Commission to urge provider
associations and governments to consider the impact of future negotiations on the sustainability
of medicare."

Page 101-102 of the Romanov Report.