This week the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) held its annual general council meetings in St John's, Nfld.
Highlighting the CMA Newfoundland agenda - along with the obligatory screeching-in and cod kissing - was an advisory panel report calling for changes to the way health care is offered in Canada.
In its report the panel said, "While there is no agreement on the best ways to fund a national health-care system, such mechanisms as user fees, franchises and various insurance schemes are widely used elsewhere by governments across the political spectrum.''
The report expanded on this theme saying, "These not only provide a portion of funding, they may help create the right incentives for a broader, more appropriate and efficient system of supports."
Overshadowing the CMA discussions is the need for the federal government to reach a new health-care funding agreement with the provinces by 2014.
In 2004, the Feds signed a 10-year, $41-billion agreement with the provinces and territories that included annual six-per-cent increases, but no conditions on spending.
A new agreement must be negotiated, but how will it read? Should it be more of the same with rigorous adherence to the 1984 Canada Health Act or do we need to take a new look at providing health care in Canada?
All evidence - and testimony - says we need a change. Nationally we spend $192 billion looking after ourselves.
Those costs are increasing. We are an aging population, with more aches and pains. New technologies are keeping us alive but at an increasing cost.
Provincial health budgets, once at 30 per cent of all expenditures are growing higher every year and at a rate where they could totally consume provincial budgets.
Yet, in spite of the rising costs, any current measurement of the success of Canada's health-care system shows us falling behind. Comparisons are odious, but outgoing CMA president Dr. Jeff Turnbull in his closing address said, "I've always been immensely proud of our health-care system - one that was once considered to be the best in the world. But times have changed and Canada now ranks below Slovenia in terms of effectiveness and last or second in terms of value for money."
So what is Slovenia doing right, or more importantly, what is Canada doing wrong?
Could it be the rigidity of the Canada Health Act? It sure could. It's the one thing that hasn't changed as Canadian health care outcomes have slipped.
Although the CMA advisory panel didn't come out with a direct condemnation of our Health Act, it's difficult to miss the focus of its criticism when it calls for user fees, franchises and various insurance schemes, all currently prohibited by the Canada Health Act.
We have three years to reach a federal/provincial/territorial agreement on health care in Canada, giving us lots of time to rewrite the legislation.
To those who worship on the altar of socialized medical care and one payer, it's time to realize our Canadian system is not working, and you don't have to go to Slovenia to see why.
Our wait times are long and health care in Canada is not patient-centered, rather it focuses solely on those who provide the treatment. As well, it places little responsibility on the patient for their own well being.
The Canada Health Act is an act of the Canadian Parliament and it can be changed, amended, or rescinded by the Canadian Parliament.
It's time to act. Politicians at the provincial and federal level must realize change in our health delivery system is absolutely necessary.
The Canada Health Act is monopolistic, bureaucratic and inefficient. Yet we're caught up in its rut and it's killing us.
Jack Layton:
Too soon; too young
Following his untimely passing, volumes will be written about Jack Layton and the future of the NDP. For now though, he will be remembered as one who was always ahead of the issues.
He was a champion of fair treatment for all and believed strongly that everyone, regardless of personal condition or circumstance, must be treated with dignity. In his last words he hoped for a Canada of greater equality, justice and opportunity.
Even at a time of serious illness, his energy and enthusiasm knew no bounds.
Right to the end he had an enormous and positive impact on our country.
He will be missed.
