Scape Scape:
That is the basis of the current system. It is a symbiotic, not parasitic relationship. IE the doctor has a steady job, the community gets treatment and the nation as a whole is stronger for it.
USA-AOK USA-AOK:
Yes, it is a symbiotic system. But the fact remains that Canadians pay only the marginal cost of care, not the up-front costs required to invent and test that treatment.
Health Care Spending Facts$1:
* Our province is spending over $11.6 billion in 2005/06 on health care.
* We increased health care funding to over 43% of the total provincial budget.
* Health care costs in BC have increased twice as fast as the economy.
* To direct more health care funding back into patient care, we've streamlined the number of health authorities from 52 to six, helping achieve savings of up to $100 million dollars in administrative and support services.
As I have stated before the baby boomer generation is nearing retirement. They will transition from income earners and their health needs cost will be rising. I too have though about putting them on an iceberg and have them drift off however global warming has nixed that idea. The boomers have been paying into the system their entire working lives and then at the point they need it most the system will be there for them. It is an investment and should be seen as such. Keep in mind when the system was 1st created the funding was shared 50-50 between federal and provincial governments. That has since changed radically at one point the fed dropped their coverage to under 15% they have since raised that level but what that created was instead of one system there are now 13 and cracks have appeared. What is covered in one province may not be covered in another. Generally the richer provence's have the more robust coverage.
So in effect to create a surplus on their own books the federal government cut corners. The provinces have not dropped the ball but you must see that the burden of maintaining the leading end research is much greater. Now with the boomers entering retirement research will again be put on the back burner until the current demographic crisis is resolved. All the while there is the skilled manpower shortage that is now global in scope further pushing up the cost of care.
$1:
Had the US economy kept pace perhaps there would be no need to Medicaid as everyone would have jobs and more than enough money in the land of milk and honey to spare. The fact is that is not the case and millions are not even able to put food on the table let alone buy prescription drugs.
USA-AOK USA-AOK:
You blame "the economy." I blame "the lazy." The USA is the richest country in the world. Anybody who can't find a means to feed themself down there has no value as a human being.
Tell that to a port worker in NOLA or to the manufacturing sector. Jobs come and go but in the transient periods instead of throwing skilled labour to the trash heap why not open a few doors instead. 'Lazy' has nothing to do with million in the lines for soup kitchens it is a symptom of a failing system.
CKA Moderator 
CKA Moderator 
