And as I've already expressed we already have two-tiered health care coverage...those that have only the public insurance and those who have private insurance through work. And, I've clearly explained the differences between the public and private insurance policies here in Canada. They're already there. And whether many like to realize it or not, it may be the only way to deal with wait times.
The public component will always be there funded by tax dollars. That won't change. What can change, though, is how the two tiers work together.
The issues we have in Canada are not because of the two tiers of coverage. It's more availability of services. We have too much of our medical population retiring and not enough up-and-coming doctors to take their place. Our population is aging requiring more long-term care and medical facilities. These are sociological factors that have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not a health care clinic is publicly or privately funded or available.
I know of a private operating room - in fact that business has opened a second private operating room - and both are booked solid Monday through Friday with those elective surgeries that would take forever to get booked in a hospital. Because these surgeries have been moved out of the hospital, the waiting list for operating room time is cut, meaning others with more urgent surgeries can get the time they need in the hospital.
Because of the wait times for MRIs, I know many are opting to go to private MRI clinics to have the scan done. For those that can afford it, that's great. It alleviates the wait times for those who have no money and can only rely on the public system.
The two systems can work together. And they are currently working together. And I don't think these things can and should remain completely under the purview of the government. Doing something independently of the government is okay and will mean that public center may have to increase their standard of care - because that's what their patients will demand.
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And as I've already expressed we already have two-tiered health care coverage...those that have only the public insurance and those who have private insurance through work. And, I've clearly explained the differences between the public and private insurance policies here in Canada. They're already there. And whether many like to realize it or not, it may be the only way to deal with wait times.
The public component will always be there funded by tax dollars. That won't change. What can change, though, is how the two tiers work together.
The issues we have in Canada are not because of the two tiers of coverage. It's more availability of services. We have too much of our medical population retiring and not enough up-and-coming doctors to take their place. Our population is aging requiring more long-term care and medical facilities. These are sociological factors that have absolutely nothing to do with whether or not a health care clinic is publicly or privately funded or available.
I know of a private operating room - in fact that business has opened a second private operating room - and both are booked solid Monday through Friday with those elective surgeries that would take forever to get booked in a hospital. Because these surgeries have been moved out of the hospital, the waiting list for operating room time is cut, meaning others with more urgent surgeries can get the time they need in the hospital.
Because of the wait times for MRIs, I know many are opting to go to private MRI clinics to have the scan done. For those that can afford it, that's great. It alleviates the wait times for those who have no money and can only rely on the public system.
The two systems can work together. And they are currently working together. And I don't think these things can and should remain completely under the purview of the government. Doing something independently of the government is okay and will mean that public center may have to increase their standard of care - because that's what their patients will demand.
August 14, 2009 - 8:21amThis Comment
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