Having read another typically outrageous CNN article about the Canadian health system (generalizing, as usual, from one tragic anecdote) I feel compelled to speak out. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/06/canadian.health.care.system/index.html
First of all, there is no "Canadian" health system. There are 13 provincial and territorial systems, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The Federal government has five "principles" that all provincial plans must abide by. Second, there can be treatment delays in the Canadian health system. That's because everyone is actually getting health care, not just the wealthiest 2/3 of the population. The delays can be aggravating, frustrating, infuriating. They do not, however, put people's health in jeopardy, the occasional sad story notwithstanding. (I am deeply dubious of this woman's story. It sounds to me like she was scared, understandably enough, not in mortal peril.) Third, it is fairly ridiculous for Americans to be worried about (or even all that interested in) the Canadian health systems. Under no circumstances will Americans get a remotely similar system. In Canada, there are NO (well, to a first approximation) private health options (for treatments that are covered by the provincial insurance plan). It is a very unusual system in that way. Most European countries have a mix of both public and private systems. Undoubtedly, any US system will have a mixed character as well. (Can you imagine any US politician declaring it *illegal* for doctors to offer private services, and then fixing the fees doctors will be paid for the services they provide? There would be a revolution!.) What you will get is the opportunity to use a public system. If you don't like it, you will be able to stay with your (incredibly expensive) private system. However, if you can't get private insurance, you will still be able to get decent health care. There's the rub. (Of course, politicians opposed to such a system, once it is in place, will do their best starve it of funds, and then declare it a "failure," just as politicians who oppose our system up here do.) Chris -- Christopher D. Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Canada 416-736-2100 ex. 66164 [email protected] http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ ========================== --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
