The Council replies: Letters to the editor
Improve public health care

By Guy Caron
Winnipeg Free Press (and Montreal Gazette)
November 30, 2007
Re: Health-care systems need more private partners (Nov. 28)

Proponents of private health care like Donald Johnston fail to explain precisely how a mix of public and private health care would improve financing and delivery of services. Saying "other countries are doing it, so we should, too" isn't a convincing argument in a very complex debate.

Many European countries have mixed health-care systems. These systems are good for many reasons that are left unexplained by Mr. Johnston.

Would he agree that pharmacare and dental care should be funded through public medicare, as is the case in France, Germany and other countries?

Or how about allowing direct access to specialists as in Germany, which has reduced wait times but increased costs to the system?

In Canada we do have a problem with access, especially in regard to elective procedures such as joint replacements. Mr. Johnston candidly admits he doesn't care if hip and knee replacements are provided faster for those with the means to pay. But this arrangement would cost everyone more. Not only is for-profit care more expensive than non-profit care, but the for-profit sector would be draining health professionals from the public system. Those paying would get their surgeries faster, but it would result in longer waits in the public system.

The real health-care debate should be on how to improve our public system.

Guy Caron, Health Care Campaigner, Council of Canadians

Visit the Profit is not the Cure website for more information about public health care.