Doctors, the federal government and ordinary Canadians – rural and urban – spoke out about medicare last week and the verdict was unanimous.
A universal, publicly funded medicare system must be maintained as the core of Canada’s medical system.
A public opinion survey conducted by Winnipeg-based Angus Reid Group showed a declining public tolerance for talk about a parallel private pay-as-you-go medical system as an option for Canada.
“There is a lot of fear out there about the future of the medical system,” Angus Reid vice-president Darrell Bricker said in an Aug. 20 interview. “But a strong majority do not believe a two-tier system with a private option is the answer. They want a properly funded public system and believe that is possible.”
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The opinion survey was done for Canada’s doctors’ lobby, the Canadian Medical Association, which has toyed for several years with the possibility of supporting a parallel private system. It would allow those with money to buy the services of the doctor of their choice and jump the health-care queue.
Last week in Victoria, members of the CMA debated the issue again but with the Angus Reid results as background, decided against it.
Instead, the doctors committed themselves to being a lobby for increased government funding of medicare. They called for a Senate study of how to deal with the problem of lengthening waiting lists for medical services.
Then, it was health minister Allan Rock’s turn. In his first major speech as health minister, Rock refused to commit Ottawa to more health funding.
But he did promise that the federal cuts are finished.
“Looking to the future, let me state squarely that from a federal perspective, the era of cuts is over,” he told the doctors Aug. 20. “A stable and predictable funding structure is in place.”
Rock acknowledged Canadians are fearful about the health-care system and promised government will work to restore faith.
He said federal cuts, provincial hospital closings and talk of a two-tier system all have contributed to public unease.
“Canadians once believed that whatever fate threw their way, one thing they could always count on was their health-care system,” he said. “That confidence is now corroding. They worry that the system will not be there when they or their loved ones need it. And many fear that the worst may still be ahead.”
Rock said this reduced public faith in the reliability of health care is one of the greatest challenges to policy makers. He vowed to try to reverse the pessimism.
Bricker of the Angus Reid Group said both rural and urban Canadians surveyed suggested that a way to end the declining faith is for government to affirm that it will support and fund the medical system to the level needed.
But they do not necessarily think more money is needed, he said.
“They think the system may be well enough funded but it could be better used,” said the pollster. “But they are looking to government to save the system, not the private sector.”
