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News: Could Canada's Medicare be at risk?

Oh, Canada. I find it ironic that, in light of the historic healthcare-reform vote in the U.S. last week, we are now being told that our Medicare system isn’t working financially.

Bank of Canada governor David Dodge told Liberals at a conference in Montreal this weekend that Canada’s escalating healthcare costs are becoming unsustainable as the population ages, reports the Canadian Press. Dodge offered several solutions to reduce soaring healthcare costs, including the oft-debated two-tier system.

Michael McBane, co-ordinator of the Canadian Health Coalition, countered by telling a panel that Medicare costs have been stable for 35 years, and what has increased is the cost of prescription medications. He also told reporters that his group spoke to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff’s office to remind them that the idea of privatized healthcare is generally unpopular with Canadians.

While that may be true, a new study reveals that we also see a need for change. A Health Canada study released today shows that 44 percent of Canadians surveyed are content with the current healthcare system, reports the Ottawa Citizen. However, 43 percent of study participants said they think several minor changes should be made to the system.

So, which political party is going to be brave enough to delve into the problem of fixing the Canadian healthcare system? Are any of our political leaders strong enough to tackle this issue?

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Posted by Jennifer Goldberg onMonday, March 29th, 2010 - 11:18am

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2 Comments

i agree with the person above . one of our problems is mommy taking johnny to the doctor with the sniffles . and another is the dispensing charges at drug stores . where did these come from anyway . with fees at 10 dollars a perscription and 500 perscriptions filled daily thats $5000. pretty good money don't you think . and your lucky if your plan covers it . i try to go to the drugstore that has the cheapest rates .and administration should be accountable in all fields ..stop the bonuses if there is no profit

Submitted by j c on Tue, 2010-03-30 11:37pm.

I really, really disagree with the two-tiered system. Simply because it continues to perpetuate and support the ever widening gap between the rich and the poor in Canada. The two-tiered system would mean that those who can afford it can get the "best" healthcare, while those who cannot will have to suffice with whatever is left over after all the doctors go to better paying private sectors. Unfortunately, although Canadians are willing to take a quick survey to show their distaste for how healthcare is currently run, many Canadians still do not vote.
I think that although our healthcare system may not be perfect, it is most definately somthing that can be improved and built upon.It is a strong foundation. Its becoming increasingly obvious to me, and many I think (especially after the recent economic downturn) that the way business, taxes, healthcare, etc,. are being run, isn't being done efficiently or effectively. I think its time we as Canadians do a little research and start asking questions about where our money is going and how we can get our government to make it work better for us. In that respect, we as a country need to work together, not section ourselves off in cliques according to who deserves what because they have the most money.

Submitted by amandab on Mon, 2010-03-29 9:47pm.