Sunday, September 21, 2008

US healthcare system a great role model?

Emma this is really interesting... I'm embarrassed to say this (more like type this), but being an ignorant American I have absolutely no clue how the Canadian health care system, let alone general government works. I'm particularly interested in the New Democratic Party, it sounds as if their ideas about how to improve Canada's healthcare system take on a very public health 'preventative' method; I especially like the plan's idea to "build provincial capacity to train doctors and nurses." 

I took a look at the New Democratic Party's website and their specific ideas on how to reform Canada's healthcare system (http://www.ndp.ca/page/6736); they have some interesting ideas. They emphasis preventative methods, suggesting child health and nutrition education, funding for cleaning up unsafe water systems, law changes for toxic phthalates, and many other great ideas.

The website is anything but shy when addressing the US's healthcare system, quick to find flaws, stating "Public health care is fairer than the US for-profit system- where a fatter wallet means better care and 45-million Americans have no health coverage at all. It's also more efficient, costing $2,000 less per person every year" The website also goes on to say, "Stop US-style privatization- calling for reliable federal funding linked to provincial commitments not to subsidize the expansion of for-profit care" (they bold and enlarge "stop US-style privatization" on the website, it was a key point)

Apparently our country is a great role model... a great role model for what NOT to do!

Very interesting... I'd love to know the results of the election, you'll be hearing from me on October 15th Emma :)



2 comments:

Emma Dolan said...

I will let you know...what I can let you know right now is that the Conservatives are ahead in the polls, and have a 16-point lead over their closest rivals, the Liberals. As far as the NDP plan goes, the NDP always proposes grandiose health care plans, and I am often somewhat skeptical about whether or not these would be affordable if they ever got elected. I believe in what they propose, but I also wonder sometimes if they draft these plans knowing that their chances of forming a government are slim to none, because some of these initiatives come with hefty price tags, and the federal budget is stretched pretty thinly these days.

Shruti said...

I was thinking the exact same thing... I was wondering how they could afford all these added healthcare measures... This goes back to what you learn in kindergarden... Don't make promises you can't keep.