News | canada.com network: "Private health care growing, study finds
Tom Blackwell
National Post
Thursday, September 29, 2005
As debate swirls about the role of private medicine in Canada, the private sector already covers a bigger chunk of health care costs here than in many Western nations -- and its share is growing, a new report released yesterday reveals.
About 70% of Canada's $130-billion health tab is covered by governments, compared with 83% in Britain, 76% in France and 78% in Germany, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) review."
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Canada - Doctors support wait-time travel
CHARLOTTETOWN -- The president of the Canadian Medical Association is continuing her organization's call for a government-funded program that would allow patients to travel to other regions if wait times were too long at home.
The idea was first floated last year and renewed in the release of a report in August by the Wait Time Alliance, a coalition of groups including the CMA.
'System at a crossroads'
The proposed program, dubbed the Health Access Fund, would allow patients to travel for services when a set of maximum wait times are exceeded.
"Our system is at a crossroads and needs immediate attention," Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai told the Medical Society of P.E.I.'s annual meeting in Charlottetown this weekend.
The idea was first floated last year and renewed in the release of a report in August by the Wait Time Alliance, a coalition of groups including the CMA.
'System at a crossroads'
The proposed program, dubbed the Health Access Fund, would allow patients to travel for services when a set of maximum wait times are exceeded.
"Our system is at a crossroads and needs immediate attention," Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai told the Medical Society of P.E.I.'s annual meeting in Charlottetown this weekend.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Remove the blindfold
The phrase "Justice is blind" isn't supposed to refer to the justice minister -- but in Irwin Cotler's case, we fear it fits all too well.
Cotler, Prime Minister Paul Martin's go-to guy for all things law-related, visited Toronto this week for what was supposed to be a first-hand look at that city's gun-violence problem. Yet apparently he managed not to see it.
Even as Toronto Mayor David Miller stressed to Cotler the need for our revolving-door justice system to stop being so lenient on gun-toting gangsters, the Liberal minister clung to his mantra that tougher sentences aren't the answer.
He insisted the four-year minimum sentence for gun crimes already on the books is more than tough enough.
But he failed to acknowledge the real problem -- that judges rarely, if ever, impose such sentences. So what good are they?
DVD PlayersiPods & Accessories
"The Supreme Court has already said that it appears four years is the maximum for a mandatory minimum," he told reporters, sounding like the law professor he is.
Rather than face the reality of an ineffectual justice system that releases suspects on bail often the day after they are arrested in possession of loaded handguns, Cotler focused on things like "diversion" programs to help accused youths get counselling and jobs and stay out of jail. The feds may help fund more of them, he said.
A well-intentioned idea, we're sure (and a typical Liberal approach to crime), but it does absolutely nothing for Torontonians right now who are being terrorized by duelling gangs and random gunfire in their neighbourhoods. How can Cotler not see this?
The problem is not, repeat not, that we are sending too many young people to jail who don't belong there (heaven forbid). The problem is that judges are not locking up enough dangerous criminals!
The 20-something gangsters shooting each other and innocent bystanders grew up laughing at flaccid laws that coddled them as youths and shrug as our courts fail to deliver on so-called tough sentences.
They need to be taken off the streets, period. Only then will more witnesses feel safe enough to come forward.
No doubt some kids could be saved from a life of crime by the type of programs Cotler touts. But not if they get shot first.
He needs to get rid of the Liberal blindfold -- better yet, Canadian voters need to get rid of him.
Cotler, Prime Minister Paul Martin's go-to guy for all things law-related, visited Toronto this week for what was supposed to be a first-hand look at that city's gun-violence problem. Yet apparently he managed not to see it.
Even as Toronto Mayor David Miller stressed to Cotler the need for our revolving-door justice system to stop being so lenient on gun-toting gangsters, the Liberal minister clung to his mantra that tougher sentences aren't the answer.
He insisted the four-year minimum sentence for gun crimes already on the books is more than tough enough.
But he failed to acknowledge the real problem -- that judges rarely, if ever, impose such sentences. So what good are they?
DVD PlayersiPods & Accessories
"The Supreme Court has already said that it appears four years is the maximum for a mandatory minimum," he told reporters, sounding like the law professor he is.
Rather than face the reality of an ineffectual justice system that releases suspects on bail often the day after they are arrested in possession of loaded handguns, Cotler focused on things like "diversion" programs to help accused youths get counselling and jobs and stay out of jail. The feds may help fund more of them, he said.
A well-intentioned idea, we're sure (and a typical Liberal approach to crime), but it does absolutely nothing for Torontonians right now who are being terrorized by duelling gangs and random gunfire in their neighbourhoods. How can Cotler not see this?
The problem is not, repeat not, that we are sending too many young people to jail who don't belong there (heaven forbid). The problem is that judges are not locking up enough dangerous criminals!
The 20-something gangsters shooting each other and innocent bystanders grew up laughing at flaccid laws that coddled them as youths and shrug as our courts fail to deliver on so-called tough sentences.
They need to be taken off the streets, period. Only then will more witnesses feel safe enough to come forward.
No doubt some kids could be saved from a life of crime by the type of programs Cotler touts. But not if they get shot first.
He needs to get rid of the Liberal blindfold -- better yet, Canadian voters need to get rid of him.
Friday, August 26, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - An alternative?
is alternative medicine the way ? Too bad it is so expensive
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "�We have no openness, no transparency,� Powell said. �That�s why we have the problems we have today.
�What happened to democracy? We have thousands of people and the board is not listening.�
Powell said Watch Action has the best interests of the Paris community at heart in trying to keep in-patient beds and palliative care at the Willett. "
�What happened to democracy? We have thousands of people and the board is not listening.�
Powell said Watch Action has the best interests of the Paris community at heart in trying to keep in-patient beds and palliative care at the Willett. "
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Starved for leadership
What can we say as we survey the political landscape? Canadian voters are a perplexed bunch, and who can blame them? They look at our prime minister and see a man who has trouble sticking to the truth, doesn't have a firm grasp on how to run the country and has considerable difficulty keeping his public and private lives separate.
And yet should another election be called anytime soon, they'd be willing to turn a blind eye to all the shortcomings mentioned above. It's better, apparently, in their minds to vote for the blundering opportunist you know than to take a chance on the alternative.
And yet should another election be called anytime soon, they'd be willing to turn a blind eye to all the shortcomings mentioned above. It's better, apparently, in their minds to vote for the blundering opportunist you know than to take a chance on the alternative.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Patients should have rights
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Patients should have rights: "Well, the doctors are in a mood to fight. One doctor at the conference summed it up quite well: 'Forgive us for being cynical about the government fixing the system. They've had 30 years to do that.' "
Friday, August 12, 2005
Doing something about Health Care
Common sense review - with a minimum of propaganda -QJ -5 part series in the expositor.
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
MRI needed for Brantford - the citizen's initiative
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "Family of Sam Rizzo raising funds for MRI
By Susan Gamble
Local News - Thursday, July 21, 2005 @ 01:00
The family of Sam Rizzo is determined to create a meaningful legacy to the businessman who championed city causes.
Rizzo, who died one year ago next week, suffered through almost a year of esophageal cancer that required a number of magnetic resonance imaging scans or MRIs.
Now, his children want to ensure that other families don�t have to endure the difficult trips to Hamilton, London or even Buffalo to get MRIs.
The Rizzos have organized the Sam Rizzo 2005 Memorial Gala, an invitation-only, $150-a-ticket event at the Brantford Golf and Country Club to raise money for an MRI machine at Brantford General Hospital.
�You don�t realize what you need until you actually need it,� said Rizzo�s daughter, Michelle Fergus.
�When you have to watch a loved one as sick as our father was, you�d do anything to help them and, because of our loss, we don�t want other families to go through what we did."
By Susan Gamble
Local News - Thursday, July 21, 2005 @ 01:00
The family of Sam Rizzo is determined to create a meaningful legacy to the businessman who championed city causes.
Rizzo, who died one year ago next week, suffered through almost a year of esophageal cancer that required a number of magnetic resonance imaging scans or MRIs.
Now, his children want to ensure that other families don�t have to endure the difficult trips to Hamilton, London or even Buffalo to get MRIs.
The Rizzos have organized the Sam Rizzo 2005 Memorial Gala, an invitation-only, $150-a-ticket event at the Brantford Golf and Country Club to raise money for an MRI machine at Brantford General Hospital.
�You don�t realize what you need until you actually need it,� said Rizzo�s daughter, Michelle Fergus.
�When you have to watch a loved one as sick as our father was, you�d do anything to help them and, because of our loss, we don�t want other families to go through what we did."
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Hamilton
Hamilton: "The cash is part of the government's $1.9-billion overall investment in the home care and community services sector this year.
By helping seniors and others receive greater care in their home and communities, the government can relieve stress placed on hospitals and long-term facilities where treatment is more expensive, Health Minister George Smitherman said Tuesday. "
By helping seniors and others receive greater care in their home and communities, the government can relieve stress placed on hospitals and long-term facilities where treatment is more expensive, Health Minister George Smitherman said Tuesday. "
Monday, July 18, 2005
Macleans - Breaking the health taboo
Sympatico / MSN - Partner content
Breaking the taboo
A landmark Supreme Court ruling challenges Canada's long-held health care assumptions
JOHN GEDDES
The Supreme Court of Canada just wasn't buying the familiar old case in favour of a public health care monopoly. In rulings that stunned Canadian politicians last week, judges on the top court looked hard at some well-worn arguments against allowing private care -- and tore that threadbare thinking apart. In key passages, the outrage of some judges seemed to be showing through their cool, deliberate prose, as they described how intolerably long waiting times for public treatment put individual Canadians through pain and psychological torment, or even allowed them to die because their names fell too far down some specialist's list. "Delays in the public system are widespread and have serious, sometimes grave, consequences," wrote Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and Justice John Major. "Inevitably where patients have life-threatening conditions, some will die because of undue delay in awaiting surgery."
Breaking the taboo
A landmark Supreme Court ruling challenges Canada's long-held health care assumptions
JOHN GEDDES
The Supreme Court of Canada just wasn't buying the familiar old case in favour of a public health care monopoly. In rulings that stunned Canadian politicians last week, judges on the top court looked hard at some well-worn arguments against allowing private care -- and tore that threadbare thinking apart. In key passages, the outrage of some judges seemed to be showing through their cool, deliberate prose, as they described how intolerably long waiting times for public treatment put individual Canadians through pain and psychological torment, or even allowed them to die because their names fell too far down some specialist's list. "Delays in the public system are widespread and have serious, sometimes grave, consequences," wrote Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin and Justice John Major. "Inevitably where patients have life-threatening conditions, some will die because of undue delay in awaiting surgery."
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Hamilton Defends private clinic
Hamilton: "'There's no violation of any (rules); we're offering a service that is in keeping with the delivery of health-care services outside of a hospital,' Anglin said Friday.
'This is something that's complementary to the public system. We're not competing in any way with the public system.'
The Provis Clinic, set to open in mid-August, will offer cancer patients access to expensive, cutting-edge cancer medications that are approved by Health Canada but not yet covered by Ontario's health plan. Patients would have to be referred to the clinic by their oncologist.
Health Minister George Smitherman said earlier this week he doesn't have enough information about the clinic yet to judge whether it might contravene any of Ontario's health laws.
But Smitherman said he doesn't want the result to be 'pocketbook medicine,' where patients pay for faster access and for services already covered by the health system. "
'This is something that's complementary to the public system. We're not competing in any way with the public system.'
The Provis Clinic, set to open in mid-August, will offer cancer patients access to expensive, cutting-edge cancer medications that are approved by Health Canada but not yet covered by Ontario's health plan. Patients would have to be referred to the clinic by their oncologist.
Health Minister George Smitherman said earlier this week he doesn't have enough information about the clinic yet to judge whether it might contravene any of Ontario's health laws.
But Smitherman said he doesn't want the result to be 'pocketbook medicine,' where patients pay for faster access and for services already covered by the health system. "
Friday, July 15, 2005
Smitherman defends private clinic?
Hamilton: "Ontario's drug plan covers more than 3,400 treatments and the province in spending about $3 billion a year on drugs, up from $1 billion only a few years ago, with $319 million more added to the budget this year, he noted.
Smitherman said the province doesn't yet have enough information about the clinic to know whether it might contravene any of Ontario's health laws.
Although private clinics are allowed to offer drugs not covered by the province, an issue can arise when services and consultations associated with getting the drugs are otherwise covered under the provincial health plan, he added. "
Smitherman said the province doesn't yet have enough information about the clinic to know whether it might contravene any of Ontario's health laws.
Although private clinics are allowed to offer drugs not covered by the province, an issue can arise when services and consultations associated with getting the drugs are otherwise covered under the provincial health plan, he added. "
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Haldimand Review
Osprey Media Group Inc. - Haldimand Review: "Hospital ready to roll with recommendations "
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Alberta allows health upgrades
CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Alberta allows health upgrades: "Alberta allows health upgrades
By BILL GRAVELAND
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
CALGARY (CP) - Alberta Premier Ralph Klein opened the door Tuesday to Cadillac health care for those willing to pay, but denied claims he has put the province on the road to a two-tiered system. "
By BILL GRAVELAND
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
CALGARY (CP) - Alberta Premier Ralph Klein opened the door Tuesday to Cadillac health care for those willing to pay, but denied claims he has put the province on the road to a two-tiered system. "
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Feds back delay in ending ban on private medicare
Winnipeg Sun: NEWS - Feds back delay in ending ban on private medicare: "Feds back delay in ending ban on private medicare
By CP
OTTAWA -- The federal government has joined Quebec to ask for an 18-month stay in a Supreme Court judgment striking down a ban on private health insurance in the province.
But a group of private medical clinics in British Columbia say the ban should be lifted immediately, suggesting Quebecers and perhaps all Canadians could be seriously harmed by a delay.
'APPROPRIATE SOLUTION' "
By CP
OTTAWA -- The federal government has joined Quebec to ask for an 18-month stay in a Supreme Court judgment striking down a ban on private health insurance in the province.
But a group of private medical clinics in British Columbia say the ban should be lifted immediately, suggesting Quebecers and perhaps all Canadians could be seriously harmed by a delay.
'APPROPRIATE SOLUTION' "
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