Canadian Health Care Should Move Toward Privatization Its Architect Admits

[Neally]

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=299282509335931

The guy that designed the Canadian health care system is now advocating partial privatizing it to fix the problems.

Castonguay advocates contracting out services to the private sector, going so far as suggesting that public hospitals rent space during off-hours to entrepreneurial doctors. He supports co-pays for patients who want to see physicians. Castonguay, the man who championed public health insurance in Canada, now urges for the legalization of private health insurance.

If Claude Castonguay is abandoning ship, why should Americans bother climbing on board?

 

[balrog666]

More private health care expected after UK review

More private health care expected after UK review

LONDON, June 30, 2008 (Reuters) — Private companies could have a greater role in providing state-funded health treatment in Britain under plans to be announced on Monday after a review of the 60-year-old National Health Service.

NewsDaily

Lots of similar stories lately.

 

[NewtonTrino]

As someone who has experience with both the Canadian and US systems I think they are both broken. There is no question that the private sector has to be involved in some way so Canada is moving the in the right direction. The US system is just whack (insurance should cover catastrophe not EVERYTHING). I'm open to suggestions as I really have other things to worry about...

 

[fls]

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=299282509335931

The guy that designed the Canadian health care system is now advocating partial privatizing it to fix the problems.

There has always been considerable debate on the 'comprehensiveness' component of the five principles of the Canada Health Act. This isn't really new, and without the David Gratzer* spin on what Castonguay actually said, it's not shocking either.

Linda

*David Gratzer writes with a strong anti-single-payer bias.

 

[Morrigan]

As far as I know, Canada is one of the only countries in the world (perhaps -the- only country?) with only public healthcare. In France, the UK, Sweden, etc. there's both private and public, which IMO is the way it should be. Here they whine about how a "two tier healthcare system" would create some sort of divide between rich and poor, but I don't believe in that at all. In French it's called "système de santé à deux vitesses", literally "two-speed healthcare system", and the common reply is that our own system offers only one speed: slow. Hell there are already private clinics in some sectors, so why not go the whole way?

I'm all for universal healthcare and I don't know why it's not available in every industrialized country. Everyone should have access to basic healthcare without risking bankruptcy. But if I can afford it, I should have the option to pay for speedier/costlier service... which would free me from the public waiting lists, anyway.

 

[Ivor the Engineer]

More private health care expected after UK review



NewsDaily

Lots of similar stories lately.

The link you provided does not say that at all.

England to refocus on quality of health care

LONDON, June 30, 2008 (Reuters) — The quality of a patient's care will become the central focus of the National Health Service in England, with hospitals and care teams rewarded for achieving high standards, the government said on Monday.

Perhaps it was (drastically) edited after you posted?

 

[Ivor the Engineer]

As far as I know, Canada is one of the only countries in the world (perhaps -the- only country?) with only public healthcare. In France, the UK, Sweden, etc. there's both private and public, which IMO is the way it should be. Here they whine about how a "two tier healthcare system" would create some sort of divide between rich and poor, but I don't believe in that at all. In French it's called "système de santé à deux vitesses", literally "two-speed healthcare system", and the common reply is that our own system offers only one speed: slow. Hell there are already private clinics in some sectors, so why not go the whole way?

I'm all for universal healthcare and I don't know why it's not available in every industrialized country. Everyone should have access to basic healthcare without risking bankruptcy. But if I can afford it, I should have the option to pay for speedier/costlier service... which would free me from the public waiting lists, anyway.

What often happens is you end up seeing the same physician as you would have if you'd stayed in the public sector health care system and just jump the queue.

 

[Fitter]

As far as I know, Canada is one of the only countries in the world (perhaps -the- only country?) with only public healthcare. <snip>

Not so I'm afraid. Here in Alberta there are clinics that provide certain services for a fee. Case in point: a couple of years ago I required an MRI and my employer paid to have this done through a private service rather than wait for an opening with the government service. When my surgery was performed it was done in my then health care district but there were others who were having surgery done from outside the district whose employers/insurers were paying a premium to have the surgery done in an area with a shorter waiting list. This is usually done through employer sponsored insurance as the employers want to get their employees back to work ASAP.

 

[ServiceSoon]

I'm all for universal healthcare and I don't know why it's not available in every industrialized country.

By universal do you mean provided to somebody at no cost to them?

 

[Beerina]

As far as I know, Canada is one of the only countries in the world (perhaps -the- only country?) with only public healthcare. In France, the UK, Sweden, etc. there's both private and public, which IMO is the way it should be. Here they whine about how a "two tier healthcare system" would create some sort of divide between rich and poor, but I don't believe in that at all.

The fraud is exposed by the prevention of people seeking private care with their own money. Many doctors now have unofficial side practices, including some that are high up in the official chain of command in this system. And nobody cares because it helps.

It is one of the most crass and disturbing things I've ever heard. "Since rich would get better care, we shall drag them down to our level by force."

Utterly vile and sickening. And how completely the opposite of living in a free society. Freedom means freedom from government forcing you to do things. That way when (not if) the government effs up because someone's pet LifeTheory(tm) was rammed down everyone's throat at the point of a gun, with freedom, you won't be affected because you declined to participate.

I recall some doctor wanted to open a premium clinic to charge a ton of money for pro Hockey players. The government said "no". WTFF! (The extra, penultimate F is for Flyin') Freedom? Wat dat?

IIRC in Netherlands, they give a basic level, but you can buy more yourself.

 

[Beerina]

Of course, if doctors have the option of going for private service, many will do only that, since it pays more than being a serf.


Hmmmmmm. I wonder how well it would go down with the union workers if the government said all manufacturing and government jobs were so vital that costs must be slashed, so your salaries are now halved?

I mean, if it works for fluff like medicine, it should work everywhere wonderfully, right? Cut salaries of engineers and programmers to help reduce the costs of products won't affect the creation of new tech wonders, right?



Right?

 

[fls]

Of course, if doctors have the option of going for private service, many will do only that, since it pays more than being a serf.

Does it? I would have expected US physicians to have the highest salaries, or to stand out, then.

Hmmmmmm. I wonder how well it would go down with the union workers if the government said all manufacturing and government jobs were so vital that costs must be slashed, so your salaries are now halved?

Doesn't that happen on a regular basis within other markets in the US already?

I mean, if it works for fluff like medicine, it should work everywhere wonderfully, right? Cut salaries of engineers and programmers to help reduce the costs of products won't affect the creation of new tech wonders, right?

Are you under the impression that it is fee-for-service reimbursements that tend to fund innovation? I'm afraid you are mistaken. The average Jane GP is not taking her professional fees and turning them into lab equipment.

Linda

 

[NewtonTrino]

BTW Healthcare in Canada is anything but free. I'm constantly having to shell out cash for my parents dental care for example (and prescription drugs as well). In addition some provinces have income tax surcharges now for healthcare.

 

[luchog]

Doesn't that happen on a regular basis within other markets in the US already?

No. To my knowledge, no federal, state, or local government in the US has ever mandated and enforced a reduction in wages. Only increases (viz. the Minimum Wage laws).

 

[Kestrel]

BTW Healthcare in Canada is anything but free. I'm constantly having to shell out cash for my parents dental care for example (and prescription drugs as well). In addition some provinces have income tax surcharges now for healthcare.

Have you ever priced the same health care services in the US?

 

[pchams]

Case in point: The Simpsons would have everyone believe that ALL health care is free in Canada,
Reality: Only emergency dental care is covered. ie. Extraction due to abcess.
Prescription drugs are NOT covered. One must be confusing us with ole Blighty.

Two tiered health means just that.
The poor will get minimal health care, while those who can afford a premium get what they pay for.
Maybe not such a bad idea...for the 1800's.

 

[fls]

No. To my knowledge, no federal, state, or local government in the US has ever mandated and enforced a reduction in wages. Only increases (viz. the Minimum Wage laws).

I didn't mean by the government.

Linda

 

[Earthborn]

IIRC in Netherlands, they give a basic level, but you can buy more yourself.

You recall incorrectly. In the Netherlands people get practically all their healthcare paid by their insurance, which is mandatory. The government gives an income dependent tax return to help the poor pay their premiums.

People can also get some of their care from for profit "private clinics" and pay for it themselves, or in some cases by their insurance.

 

[Ivor the Engineer]

An average NHS hospital consultant's renumeration is £80,000-90,000 (~$170,000) PA. IIRC, a GP's is similar. This is before additional payments for productivity and/or private work on the side, which can increase this figure considerably.

I wonder though, do the proponents of privatised health care also support the torture of prisoners until they give what their interrogators want?

 

[Beerina]

Huh. So where does the saving come from then?