STOPBILL 37
A Call to Alberta Professionals
Public protests failed in New Zealand.
New Zealand Health Care Reform went ahead in spite of the outcry from the public. The "free market" on health care was written in the stars upon the first stage formation of four Regional Health Authorities.
Health care professionals were locked out of the reform process on the basis that medical professionals were clouded by their own "vested interests", which the government felt must not influence public policy.
"Consumer sovereignty", stated the government, is a choice between public and private health care. That is, if you could afford it because in the end the government shifted user fees and outpatient treatment charges to the public at large. In other words, if you are sick, you will pay for it in the literal sense. The impoverished and the elderly have clearly paid for New Zealand's Health Reform.
Public protests and marches against this "two-tiered health system" failed.
...Yet
...And yet the formation of the Coalition for Public Health has been effective in New Zealand. Who are the coalition? They are retired administrators, economists, unionists, medical practitioners, and workers in the voluntary sector. Working together with a clear agenda, they have made more progress than protests and marches.
But how long after the fact of "health care reform" did it take for influential (and affluencial) professionals and supporters to finally act?
My point is simple. Act now. Stop health care reform here in Alberta before what happened in New Zealand happens here.
Unlike New Zealand, public protest delayed Health Care Reform in the form of Bill 37, for now. IUn the fall, though, the Klein government will try again to pass Bill 37 in the legislature.
I am calling on professionals here in Alberta - medical or otherwise - to petition the government to put a stop to Bill 37.
Ultimately, I would like to see those in the medical field form their own coalition on public health. It is time to stop complaining about the state of health care in Alberta. If yre not willing to at least write a letter to your MLA, then it is time to stop complaining.
Professional, or otherwise, we are responsible for enabling our government's policies. Our government must be held accountable to the public - as "public servants". It is time for them to stop governing themselves.
The influential and the affluent are, factually, in a better position to be heard the loudest in our society - a power that cannot be ignored. Who else can form professional boards, petition other professional supporters, place media ads, or pull campaign donations? Soon, the public word spreads - and support thereof.
Do we need the Klein government telling us - telling us - we need a two-tiered health system? Do we need health reform's Bill 37?
So, what happened to New Zealand's Health Care Reform?
It failed.
The poor and the sick could not afford medical user fees or their prescriptions. So some of the user fees had to be abandoned by the government because they cost more to maintain than they brought in.
In March 1987, emergency legislation was passed on $450 million to support the failing Regional Health Authorities. Cost efficiencies on this consumer-based free market cost up to 10% of the annual New Zealand budget.
New Zealand Health Care Reform has indeed failed.
The Klein Government wants this Health Care System for Alberta.
Stop Bill 37.
Now.
One group is fighting back against the health care reform: AFL (Alberta Federation of Labour)
Remember the Principles of the Canada Health Act
