We won't know the results of the vote until tomorrow, but the UCP is finished debating the policy to allow a two-tier health care system. Some thoughts... 1/8
We heard the usual rhetoric about "choice" and "freedom", which is all fine and good if you can afford those choices and those freedoms. Given the link between health and wealth, those who cannot afford those choices would often be those who most need health care services. 2/8
Brian Peterson says that other countries have both systems and perform well. Classic correlation/causation problem. Systems that outperform Canada do not outperform because of privatization. Evidence doesn't support that argument. Also, most of those countries spend more. 3/8
Peterson claims privatization doesn't erode public system. I don't know where he's getting his evidence from. He's wrong. A sensible opponent is skeptical and says that she would need to see evidence that privatization works and she thinks it would be more costly. Correct. 4/8
Another opponent is against it, but for completely selfish reasons. Nate Glubish says that a two-tier system would create a "ton of grief" for MLAs, given that it goes against what the party ran on. Boo hoo. 5/6
One proponent claims that Canada's system is inequitable. How on earth would allowing people to pay to jump the queue improve equity? Systems will two-tier care struggle with equity and have to regulate to protect public system (and this gov says they don't want more regs). 6/8
Dr Wong says this resolution is against Canada Health Act. Correct. He points to Cambie case but seems to misunderstand. Cambie means that laws limiting private care are legal. It doesn't mean that a government has to have those limits if they don't want. 7/8
Wong does correctly state that this would distract from gov's efforts to get more bang from buck. Someone from constituency that proposed this says that the policy was misunderstood. No clue how you can misunderstand "support the option of a privately-funded" health system. 8/8
Have to add in one more. We'll call it 8.1. MLA Garth Rowswell doesn't want to get rid of surgical caps because it would increase health spending. He slams "anti-two tier moralists" who are against privately delivered service.
I've now seen it spelled John Wong a few times, but just saw it as Huang. I found Alberta doctors with both names, so I'm not sure who it is. My apologies if I've accidentally associated you with the UCP!
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