Michael Watts
Oct 8, 2013
Michael Watts, National Post
(Extract)
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...OECD data show Canada lingers near or at the bottom of developed nations for timeliness of health care while claiming fifth place for health-care expenditures. Adjusted for age, Canada has one of the costliest health-care systems in the world.
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Not only does the law allow for major reforms to how health care is delivered, it arguably requires them. Any provincial system that creates a monopoly over the provision of health care and creates barriers to access that jeopardize citizens’ Charter rights is subject to a constitutional challenge.
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...If governments wish to be the exclusive providers of health-care services in a “public” system, they must provide health care in a manner that does not deprive individuals of life, liberty, or security of the person....
In order to provide timely, medically necessary care to Canadians who need it in the future, in the face of enormous pressure on provincial finances, the provinces will have to act boldly. And to do that they will need to separate Canada Health Act myths from reality.
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