Canadian Health Coalition Speaks Out
2009/9/22
Prime Minister, Stand on Guard for Medicare
September 21, 2009
Canadians have been angered by the dishonest representations of our public health care system made during the last several months by various groups and individuals in the United States. Opposition Members of Parliament have been strong and vocal defenders of our system against dishonest representations. Health professionals have raised their voices. Individual Canadians have written to President Obama, made videos and given speeches to tell our neighbours to the South the truth about Canada’s universal public health care.
But there has not been one word from our Prime Minister in defense of Canada’s cherished public health care system. Even as he met with President Obama and the media raised the issue, he implied there was no federal role in overseeing our national health care system.
While the Prime Minister’s silence on this issue is distressing, it is his failure to stand on guard against the privatization of public medical services that is truly dangerous.
He stood idly by as provinces allowed patients to be charged user fees for insured health services and permitted queue jumping for those who can pay.
He did not speak up as for-profit clinics expanded over the last five years in almost every region of the country, particularly Quebec, B.C. and Alberta.
He did not respond to violations of the Canada Health Act by for –profit clinics who mix medically necessary and unnecessary services and bill the patients.
As Canadians, we expect our Prime Minister to speak up to defend our health care system from misrepresentation and to enforce the Canadian Health Act. We expect our Prime Minister to stand on guard for Medicare.
TAKE ACTION -- TELL THE PRIME MINISTER TO STAND ON GUARD FOR MEDICARE
Related: Media Release and Letter to the Prime Minister, Sept. 16, 2009
Victory against private clinics in New Brunswick
An all out effort by members of the New Brunswick Health Coalition and the Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) has resulted in the government backing off a plan to introduce private clinics across the province. New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham recently confirmed that his government will not be moving forward on a $65 million proposal to bring in private, for-profit clinics.
Shortly before the Premier’s announcement, the CHC launched its national campaign to stop the privatization of public health care services in New Brunswick. During the campaign launch, the CHC challenged the New Brunswick government to rethink its privatization strategy in favour of keeping the system public using Made in Canada solutions.
“When CHC raised the issue of privatization of essential New Brunswick health services, the people let their Premier know they would not stand for it,” said Michael McBane, national coordinator of the CHC. “Community pressure from concerned citizens, including the New Brunswick Health Coalition and the CHC, made the difference.”
While the CHC has urged New Brunswickers to remain vigilant in order to prevent the plan from being brought back, it also finds it rewarding that a well-planned campaign and strong public support and activism can make a difference in stopping the privatization of public health services.
|
|
View All 'Whats New' Items
|
