I often sit back and mull over why public health insurance is such a sacred cow in Canada. Rob suggests that bringing up health care reform is essentially political suicide - he’s right. You cannot suggest any sort of debate without condemning your political career to ruins.
I don’t understand why. Well, sort of - the status quo believes that we’re getting free health care - why give it up? But of course, as you probably know, it’s not free. Not even close.
So why? It’s almost like it’s a political chess piece. The NDP makes it an essential part of their platform:
NDP Leader Jack Layton called for concrete assurances from the governing Liberals that they will protect public health care from creeping privatization or risk losing his party’s support.
In the 2000 federal election, the Liberals joined the NDP in attacking the Alliance party for secretly planning to abolish it. It won them votes.
In 2004 it certainly contributed to the Conservative loss for similar reasons.
Recently, in New Brunswick there was a debate about Government run Auto Insurance. Strong opposition quickly rose from the population. “Why would we let the government run our auto insurance?” people cried. “The Government Has no right!”.
Hey.. .Hold on… Are these same people are those that intensely defend public health insurance? If that is the case, I cannot comprehend why and where they draw the line.
In any case, let’s look at two of the possible ‘alternative’ options that could be explored :
Two Tiered Health Care
Essentially, private health care for those who choose it and public health care for the masses. This is the ‘middle of the road’ option and appeals to some, although opposition criticism seems to center around the fact that the private health care would take the ‘good’ doctors away from the public system. Fiscal conservatives such as myself seem to widely support this idea as the best option that would be acceptable for both sides.
Private Health Insurance
Everyone aside from the very needy must pay health premiums to private insurance providers. Opponents of this system claim the needy slip through the cracks. It’s obvious what the supporters claim.
This summer the supreme court in Canada overruled a Quebec law preventing people from buying private health insurance. This is not insignificant in the overall progress of national health care evolution.
My opinion is solid - the health care system in our country is not working. Holding on to it to appeal to voters is archaic and irresponsible. There has to be a change. I believe there will be. What changes and when is unknown for now.
But of course the heart of this argument ultimately centers around my often raised debate spawning question - Does success require social responsibility?
