There are better ways to get where we want to be in the search for better, more efficient, and more compassionate health care. The debate in Canada is hair-trigger poised for a derisive calling out of anyone who suggests even talking about some other way to deliver care to those in need. A perception exists amongst many in this great nation that our health care system is untouchable - it is a sacred cow to be held up as a trophy of some kind, allowing Canadians to shout to the world, "Our healthcare system is the best. EVER." It is not.
Health care in Canada has at least as many problems as in any other developed nation, and we find increasing demands, increasing costs, and increasing displeasure with waiting times to get care. No politician has the political will to seriously tackle this issue, and we need to do so. Our options are not limited to our current system or the dreaded "American style, two-tiered" system so loathed by many north of the 49th parallel. Medical care in the U.S. is problematic for many people, that is true; there a millions without any health care coverage. The rhetoric that obfuscates the truth, however, is a bigger problem and neither solves the real issues or highlights the real successes that the Americans have achieved.
It's well past time for Canadians to grow up a bit and admit that we need to make our system better, and to do so we need to look at all possible paths to success, in order that we craft out own system, specifically designed to deal with Canadian demands and issues. We really need to admit that we could learn a great deal.
Take these stories for example:
There are better ways to do things, and we do ourselves and future generations a great disservice if we ignore them out of ideological stubbornness.
