Originally posted by wdlove
Raid is it true that you have 2 healthcare systems?
Well the unfortunate reality is that there are private clinics and testing labratories, and recently in Brampton (just north west of Toronto) a hospital is underconstruction with private funding. They had a contract for the construction was approved by the former conservative government. While nobody will say there is a two tier system (because usually everything is still covered by the government) people are worried that it's creeping up on us. There are concerns about waiting lists, but there is triage and the truly critical patients get priority. I don't know what you've heard but I don't think the delays are that long.
On the matter of compensation for doctors, a balance must be struck between keeping doctors in the country and keeping costs low. Since this is the area I do have some expertise in (well not medical... but the principles are the same).
A simple run down would go like this:
In a private system you have a division of classes, the richer hospitals will pay more for better doctors to attract more clients, gain a reputation, and strengthen the business. As such their costs go up and only affluent individuals can afford the costs of treatment. But they're rich and can afford it, the hospital is doing quality work and making a profit so everythings fine right? Well people in certain tax brackets will answer differently and here's why. Competition would keep upward pressure on doctor salaries as such poorer hospitals would continualy loose thier better doctors to higher paying positions they can't afford. The poorer hospital would be under increasing pressure to cut costs to keep doctors who can at least handle the work load. Now this poorer hospital is in survival mode which means cost cutting and the quality of care decreases, but that's ok because the poor people who can only afford this kind of hospital don't deserve the best treatment anyway right?... Now this is a pretty simplified arguement but the mechanics of profit and corporate thinking are tried, tested, and true.
The nature of hospital service means that the demand is pretty inelastic. In other words you are willing to pay regardless of price because... well if you don't get better you're going to die! Company's drool over this type of business because they can keep jacking up the price and the consumer will keep demanding the service. I'm sure you all heard stories about people so far in debt from medical expenses that they couldn't possibly pay it back in thier lifetime... and that is one cruel irony.
While do believe that competition and a capitalist system is a healthy and works in many industries; I strongly believe that the government should control markets where inelastic demand could mean profit taking to the detriment of the public.
