Architect of Canadian Health Care System: the system is in "crisis."

**Greebo** · 07-03-2008, 04:00 PM

Yep - Nationalized Healthcare again.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArti...99282509335931

Back in the 1960s, Castonguay chaired a Canadian government committee studying health reform and recommended that his home province of Quebec — then the largest and most affluent in the country — adopt government-administered health care, covering all citizens through tax levies.

The government followed his advice, leading to his modern-day moniker: "the father of Quebec medicare." Even this title seems modest; Castonguay's work triggered a domino effect across the country, until eventually his ideas were implemented from coast to coast.

Four decades later, as the chairman of a government committee reviewing Quebec health care this year, Castonguay concluded that the system is in "crisis."

"We thought we could resolve the system's problems by rationing services or injecting massive amounts of new money into it," says Castonguay. But now he prescribes a radical overhaul: "We are proposing to give a greater role to the private sector so that people can exercise freedom of choice."

Still reading the article but wanted to share it asap.

**Gabe** · 07-03-2008, 04:17 PM

That's big government of Quebec for you.
The most socialized province in Canada.

**Gabe** · 07-03-2008, 04:43 PM

Good article and thank you for sharing!

"The problem is that government bureaucrats simply can't centrally plan their way to better health care."

1984 anyone?

**Palooka** · 07-04-2008, 12:04 AM

Doesn't Quebec 'seperate' themselves from Canada?

**Jamauk** · 07-04-2008, 12:10 AM

WOW! Is all I can say! Do we really want to start this debate again?!?

I just found my "h" key again the other day!

Off to finish reading the article....

**Palooka** · 07-04-2008, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jamauk

WOW! Is all I can say! Do we really want to start this debate again?!?

I just found my "h" key again the other day!

Off to finish reading the article....

Heh, I was actually thinking the same thing about the subject.

**Natalie** · 07-04-2008, 09:24 AM

Well, the Canadian healthcare system is the pits. My uncle had to wait and wait and wait for his "elective" surgery. That wasn't an emergency, but it's not like he could just decide not to have it done. Can't remember what it was, but like me, if I didn't have my eye done, I'd go blind. That's not "elective", really. Gotta be done sooner rather than later.

Now, this latest thing with my uncle, with his stroke, that's an emergency, and he got right in. Wonder how he's doing...

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-04-2008, 03:03 PM

The health care system here is by far tons better than it is in the USA. It's actually one of the biggest desireable aspects of immigrating into Canada. I couldn't imagine being able to take care of my kids in the USA compared to how it is here. I've had both emergency and elective surgeries and I didn't notice the time difference in getting both done at all. Our health care costs are deferred to DH's place of employment and the way that it's set up here in Alberta is pretty good. Every Albertan is covered, regardless of income level. I like that alot. To help those Albertans who are unable to pay for their full premiums, they are offered the Premium Assistance Program.

Are there premium assistance programs for lower-income individuals or families?

Alberta Health and Wellness has two premium assistance programs to assist lower-income Albertans with their Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) premiums: Premium Subsidy Program and Waiver of Premiums Program.

Lower income Albertans may apply to have their AHCIP premiums reduced or eliminated.

Who is eligible to apply for premium assistance?

All residents of Alberta are eligible to apply unless you are:

* A new or returning resident from outside Canada, who has not yet lived in Alberta for 12 consecutive months;
* Exempt from paying income tax for religious, charitable or communal reasons;
* A student from outside Canada who is temporarily in Canada;
* A senior – 65 years of age or older (seniors are eligible to apply for premium subsidy for premiums billed prior to their 65th birthday); and
* A resident who is on holidays and not working by choice (only applies to Waiver of Premiums Program).

People are eligible to apply for two programs in particular, Premium Subsidy Program and Waiver of Premiums Program.

Now as far as drug coverage is concerned, people here are given the option to either apply for separate health coverage or they can opt into publically-funded programs. DH has coverage through his work, so there's a third option as well.

http://www.health.alberta.ca/default.htm

The above website explains everything and shows that a government-operated health care program works. Every province is different. I can't imagine having this sort of coverage in the USA. When I lived there, you either had to buy your own health coverage, go without, or apply for Medicaid and even then, that was based on income.

**iida** · 07-05-2008, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by aimeebee

Not the h word again. LOL. My hubby came home with Sicko last week. I watched most of it, but got irritated and left him to watch the end alone.

Why did you get irritated by Sicko?

It gave a very honest picture about healthcare in Europe, IMO. After watching the film my DH said he feels sorry for Americans, because they don´t understand how much they are missing. But, anyway, it is not our thing to say how other countries should live. If you are happy with your system, it´s okay. Or maybe you are not happy and that is why you got irritated.

I intended to wrote this in a friendly way. If my English is too blunt, I´m sorry.