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Should we use the Canada Health Act to reform long-term care?
A thread.
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A thread.
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It has become blindingly clear that LTC requires massive change. The balance of evidence supports moving away from private, for-profit care in favour of public and private not-for-profit care. Of course, this isn& #39;t a silver bullet & many other reforms are needed.
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But, we ignore the profit motive at our peril.
Where I differ from some, is in the use of the Canada Health Act to get us there.
Why?
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Where I differ from some, is in the use of the Canada Health Act to get us there.
Why?
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Opponents of public, not-for-profit healthcare never waste an opportunity to chip away at Medicare.
The moment the CHA is opened, there is a clear & present danger that opponents use a sincere attempt at expanding universality, to instead weaken it.
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The moment the CHA is opened, there is a clear & present danger that opponents use a sincere attempt at expanding universality, to instead weaken it.
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The CHA& #39;s 5 principles are lauded for good reason. They not only ensure co-pay free access to MDs & hospitals, but that an Alberta health card will allow you access care in Nova Scotia & vice-versa.
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Instead, a new, parallel act that includes the same 5 principles of the CHA should be our way forward.
The CHA 5: Public administration, Comprehensiveness, Universality, Portability, and Accessibility.
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The CHA 5: Public administration, Comprehensiveness, Universality, Portability, and Accessibility.
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This approach protects hospital and physician services under the CHA, while using the CHA& #39;s backbone to expand Medicare.
This infact, is what many are advocating for Pharmacare.
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This infact, is what many are advocating for Pharmacare.
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In fact, thats the approach the federal NDP took before physical distancing temporarily shut down parliament. https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/02/25/news/ndp-table-bill-create-universal-pharmacare-program-seek-liberal-backing
8/n">https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/02/2...
8/n">https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/02/2...
Tommy Douglas always spoke of Medicare& #39;s two stages.
The first was focused on acute care. That is the stage that the Canada Health Act consolidated.
Medicare& #39;s second stage was supposed to focus on community based care.
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The first was focused on acute care. That is the stage that the Canada Health Act consolidated.
Medicare& #39;s second stage was supposed to focus on community based care.
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It shouldn& #39;t take a pandemic for us to realize this second stage. Yet, here we are.
Maybe its time for a "Canada Community Health Act."
Pharmacare, long term care, surely also home care & psychology servics.
What else should Medicare& #39;s second stage include?
10/n
Maybe its time for a "Canada Community Health Act."
Pharmacare, long term care, surely also home care & psychology servics.
What else should Medicare& #39;s second stage include?
10/n
COVID-19 has presented us with unprecedented challenges.
Now is not the time for timid action or half-measures.
Lets be bold. Lets push hard for #BetterMedicare.
11/11
Now is not the time for timid action or half-measures.
Lets be bold. Lets push hard for #BetterMedicare.
11/11
