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Will Private Health Care Be Made Available in Canada?

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by KenH, Oct 16, 2005.

  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    "Four of the court's judges said there was ample evidence that some Canadians have suffered grave consequences while on waiting lists and the public health system's failure to deliver medical care in a timely, reliable way had jeopardized their liberty, health and psychological well-being.

    Justice Marie Deschamps, in the majority decision, said that banning private health-care options was a violation of the Quebec Charter.

    The remaining six judges were evenly split on whether such a ban also violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

    As a result, the decision only applies in Quebec.

    But Romanow said yesterday the "clear implication" is that it's a violation of the Canadian Charter, as well.

    "The court basically said that the prohibition of private health insurance enacted by a democratically elected provincial government was bad public policy," he said."

    - Story LINK
     
  2. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    Weird.
    I don't mean this court's ruling, I mean the banning of private health-care options. I thought that countries that have public healthcare basically always have a system of private health care insurance as well.
     
  3. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Yes, the reality is that there already is a lot of private health care options in Canada. The primary example being private health care insurance, often offered as part of a benefits package through employers. That coverage still goes towards paying for services largely made available through a public system. It also goes towards "non-essential" private health care services like dental, chiropractic, massage, etc.

    Privatization of certain "essential" health care services does not currently exist in Canada and the current debate is about whether this should change due to some struggles with our public system of providing timely quality care.

    The most recent event in this debate is the Supreme Court overturning an attempt by the Quebec government to ban the privitization of these "essential" health care services to provide a for-profit system that is completely independent of the public system.

    I'm actually applying for medical school this year so I should stay on top of this type of news. Thanks.
     
  4. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    Good dental healthcare certainly belongs among the essentials instead of the non-essentials.
     
  5. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    You may be right. But currently, it is not covered.

    <a href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/services.html" target="_blank">Ontario - Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Health Services
    </a>

    Services fully covered by the government:
    -medically necessary services provided by physicians
    -some dental surgery in hospital

    Services partially covered by the government:
    -podiatrists
    -rehab : Physiotherapists and Occupational Theraptists
    -prescription drugs
    -one optometrist eye exam per year for under 20 and over 65 or those with medical eye conditions

    Services not covered by the government
    -regular dental care
    -non-medical eye exams for 20-65 year olds
    -non-essential physician care
    -chiropractic services
    -naturopathic services
    -massage therapy
     
  6. hillclimber

    hillclimber New Member

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    There sure are a lot of socialists here that think that's the cats meow, and that we should emulate Canada.
     
  7. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    I guess they know a good thing when they see it. ;)
     
  8. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Yep. Yet no one can point to a system as good as ours for delivering QUALITY health care to as many people as possible, in spite of our system's imperfections.
     
  9. emeraldctyangel

    emeraldctyangel New Member

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    Wow. And I thought the free health care was such a great thing, to hear Canadians tell it.

    Preventative medicine would go so much further than just reactive medicine. Dental surgery? Fabulous! However wouldnt it be better to have that tooth sealed when you were a child than to have invasive surgery years later?

    Actually, I am personally under the free health care system of the United States, most commonly known as the military health care plan, and let me tell you - you get what you pay for. If I get shot - I know where to go to find the best hands to patch me up. Diagnosed with cancer? Will take years before they catch up with you...and that is only after you practically fall out of formation and are rushed to the ER.

    I think when you are paying for it, and not via some tax system but out of your pocket, you get much better care. Actually, I know that. There are a few things I have sought medical attention on via the civialian side and paid for out of my own pocket. Thank God I had the means to.
     
  10. emeraldctyangel

    emeraldctyangel New Member

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    What exactly is non-essential physican care? Filling out paperwork?
     
  11. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Things like non-reconstructive cosmetic surgery are the obvious examples. There are probably less obvious ones.
     
  12. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Preventative health education like proper dental care is started at a very early age in Canada. Probably in the US too.

    The Canadian government has also spent a lot on preventative health education in smoking too. The http://stupid.ca campaign has been very effective at discouraging youth smoking, a leading cause of preventable health problems later in life.
     
  13. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    That is how it works in Australia!
     
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