Healthcare, the symptons are obvious

Democrats and Republicans rarely agree on much. But neither side can deny that tens of millions of ordinary Americans do not receive basic healthcare. The so called most powerful country in the world cannot care for its own. Governments were once thought to protect its citizenry but now pharmaceutical and insurance companies gouge enormous profits whilst our children fall through the cracks, and the decay of our social and healthcare fabric delivers us one step closer to the third world conditions that our debt balance clearly demonstrates is exactly where we belong.

I also wish to clarify and correct two false statements made regarding the Canadian healthcare system – one made in the movie Sicko and the other made on a recent episode of Oprah. First, to address a comment made by a Canadian in the movies “Sicko” who claimed it in Canada was free — healthcare in Canada is not free. Second, to correct a member of Oprah’s studio audience who claimed to be from Canada and who articulated we have unacceptably long waitlists – Canada does not have excessively long waitlists for those who require emergent or urgent care (i.e., diagnostics, treatments or surgeries). These are facts, and arguments to the contrary are simply false. So, then where do these fallacies originate? In Canada, as in the U.S., there are public relations firms who are paid by lobby groups to convey messages to the public through the news media. Also, as in the U.S., even though some of these have no basis in fact or reality, they are indeed believed by the public.To the first point, healthcare system costs in Canada are paid for via personal and business tax contributions to provincial and federal governments (akin to your state and federal governments) and through premium payments made by individuals/families to government and based on income and/or ability to pay.

To the second point, for those who are sick, infirm, or suffering serious illness requiring advanced procedures, life support, or other medical/surgical treatments or interventions, these people are looked after. Our physicians, nurses, allied health and para-health professionals are among the best trained and dedicated anywhere in the world. The Canadian system is based on the practice of those who do not typically consume high levels of the services (i.e., working young adults through middle aged) subsidizing those who do (i.e. birthing mothers, infants, and the elderly). The latter group consumes up to 85% or more of the total cost of care in the country.

In any event, the Canadian approach to healthcare does not warrant the “bad rap” it often gets from its American cousin. The American neo-conservative lobby is so strong and vocal (economically and politically) that even the hint of a government-sponsored social program which allocates healthcare risk amongst an entire population is shunned and decried as socialist or communist (and therefore “evil”). In the years to come, this shallowly processed view of social medicine will only exacerbate the American experience. Again, Americans need to look at who is perpetrating and perpetuating these fallacies, rather than simply buy a bill of goods that may not represent their interests in the short or long term.

Finally, healthcare is not like a typical economic good (e.g., vehicles, watches, real estate, sneakers, housecoats) in that people do not consume infinite amounts if it is free or there is only a nominal charge. Again, this is a fallacy I frequently hear being put forward in the American press. In reality, people consume only the amount they NEED (not want) which allows them to regain and maintain their health. Therefore to lump healthcare with other consumables governed by traditional supply and demand economics, is to incorrectly characterize healthcare, its demand, its costs, and human nature.

By: Shane Busby

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