Peter,
This is one of the best things that the NCC has done. A contribution from me to support the effort is forthcoming. Your program represents a very intelligent opportunity for adult debate on a topic that is buried in theological dogma by its strident supporters and our terrified political class. In my opinion this approach may get somewhere.
Well done & keep at it.
Bryan

The basic flaw in our “healthcare” system is being replicated in many so-called universal programs operated by the government in Canada. Not only do they not encourage personal responsibility, these push people to think that “the goverrnment” will take care of things beit medical care, unemployment insurance or pensions to name the biggest budget items. All these programs should operate on the principle of co-insurance, the user pays a certain basic amount and should have a periodic statement to check who has billed on his/her behalf and what costs of the services were. It is something that’s already in operation in parts of Europe.
Dutch hospitals now compete for business from the insurers. If their costs are out of line, the patients go elsewhere. I am not saying thiis would work anywhere else but it would mean “the system” has its costs calculated and presumably under control.
Lastly, our problems are the stakeholders in medical care. Each wants a slice of the pie with no regard for the “customer.”

You are on the right tracks with your Healthcare Tour, I am sure. B.C. has undergone a Healthcare Survey of its citizens, and it is still underway as a matter of fact, and I am sure a lot of very sensible and worthwhile submissions have been made to it already. I consulted with a lawyer, a family doctor, a registered nurse, a specialist and a pharmacist and between us all we made a two page submission to the B.C. Government of our ideas on how the healthcare system in B.C. and Canada could be improved.
I would like to send this on to you sometime as I know I am unable to attend your next meeting, but would like you to have our thoughts, such as they are! Sybil - Kamloops, B.C.

I wish I had known about the Edmonton meeting; I certainly would have attended and lent my support.

I believe the NCC is on the right track; however, universal socialised healthcare is THE sacred cow, not just for the Canadian Left, but also for many conservatives. It is going to take a huge effort to deflate all the myths and spread the truth. The system does not work, and we need to fix it before all of our taxes are swallowed up by it.

We congratulate you for taking on this huge challange. The health care system is not working efficiently and it is unaffordable in it’s present format. Everything needs to be reorganized over time and as conditions change. User fees should be strongly considered. Also we need to have private clinics available for those who can’t afford to wait for the current health care system to look after them. That would lighten up the load on the provincial health care system.
One thing I don’t understand is this: Quebec has about 61 private health care clinics already; BC also has some so why is it that there is such a fuss being made over Alberta opening private health care clinics? We certainly haven’t heard that the health care in Quebec and BC has gone downhill because they have allowed private clinics.
I hope the Canadian citizens wake up before it is too late and realize that we have to be proactive and work to change our system. Or what do they want to give up in order to support the onerous costs of free health care?

our healthcare problems will never be properly addresses because the public always accepts the status quo. Alternative medical approaches never gets the attention it deserves and the health of our children in the schools never gets addresssed. There should be proper fitness programs in all schools with proper instructors and coaches for athletic teams. But the public never seems bothered. So healthcare will remain never corrected.