Posted on Behalf of RNAO and the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse
See also the OPC Today Blog posting on this issue at
http://www.blogs.opc.on.ca/,
and the letter that OPC co-signed with other agencies to be published in
the Toronto Star
http://www.opc.on.ca/english/newsroom/TOStar_Aug2007.pdf
_______________________________________
RNAO Urges Everyone to Write Prime Minister Harper to Defend Medicare
for all Canadians
On July 30, 2007, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) released a
policy statement calling upon the Canadian government to allow
physicians to practice simultaneously in both public and private
systems. CMA asserts that contracting out publicly funded health-care
services to the private sector would improve access to services and
reduce wait times. Under the rhetoric of "modernizing Medicare and
choice", CMA is advocating for a parallel health-care system despite
evidence which demonstrates that it would decrease access to health-care
services by siphoning off health-care professionals.
Action Requested
Please write to Prime Minister Harper urging him to oppose a two-tier
health-care system in Canada. Go to www.rnao.org to send a sample letter
or create one of your own. Be sure to sign your name at the top and
bottom.
Background
RNAO opposes CMA's renewed call for two-tier health-care system in
Canada
On July 30, 2007, the Canadian Medical Association released a policy
statement calling upon the Canadian government to allow physicians to
practice simultaneously in both public and private systems. In the
statement, titled It's Still About Access! Medicare Plus, CMA asserts
that contracting out publicly funded health-care services to the private
sector would improve access to services and reduce wait times.
CMA president Colin McMillan denied that physicians are looking for a
U.S.-style private, for-profit system, citing examples of European
models that blend the two systems instead.
Background on Why the CMA's Position is a Threat to Medicare
Research has shown that OECD countries with parallel private hospital
systems have larger and longer public wait lists than countries with a
single-payer system. A UK study found this result also held for regions
as it held for countries. The more care provided in the private sector
in a given region, the longer the wait times for public hospital
patients.
Parallel private systems "cherry pick" patients who are healthier,
younger or have conditions that are cheaper to treat, while leaving more
complicated cases to a public system left with fewer health-care
professionals.
Additionally, parallel private systems do not increase the number of
health-care practitioners; rather, practitioners are split into two
systems.
This, in turn, creates an incentive for doctors to lengthen waiting
lists in the public system.
While Dr. McMillan may deny that physicians are looking to American
models of health care, the reality is that Canada is a party to the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Given that it is still
unclear whether for-profit health services will bring all of the
Canadian health-care system into the reach of Canada's trade agreements,
it is imperative that the current single payer model be protected.
What are Other Options to Improve Access to Health Services?
Creative ways to strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit
health-care system and improve access to care are available. Check out:
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (2007). Creating a Healthier
Society. Toronto: Author.
http://www.rnao.org/Storage/29/2398_RNAO_Election_Platform_2007.pdf
Priest, A., Rachlis, M., & Cohen, M. (2007). Why Wait? Public Solutions
to Cure Surgical Waitlists. Vancouver: Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives and BC Health Coalition.
http://policyalternatives.ca/Reports/2007/05/ReportsStudies1621/
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