Sunday, June 29, 2008

Readers write -- Media Release

For Immediate Release
June 29, 2008

Healthcare under siege.

LUMBY– Universality in healthcare is under threat. The dangers posed by the American model of "for-profit" healthcare cannot be overestimated. Under NAFTA, allowing more for-profit healthcare in Canada could be the "thin edge of the wedge" that jeopardizes our entire national healthcare system. We cannot take that risk.

Yet it is happening as we sleep. There is a Public Private Partnership (P3) hospital being built in Abbotsford. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) announced that 240 public long-term care beds will be closed and replaced with beds operated by private for-profit companies. Here at home, Interior health is engaged in a P3 deal with Infusion Health for the building of the new tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Premier Campbell has no mandate to privatize the healthcare system. The federal government should use the full force of the Canada Health Act to prevent the privatization of our national healthcare system. There has been no information forthcoming from either governments. Had it not been for the Vernon Taxpayers Association, we may not have realized that our healthcare system is under siege.

Privatization has been proven to be bad for Canadians. A study done by McMaster University reported that the "Canadian governments would pay an extra $7.2 billion in annual health care costs if Canada switched to investor-owned private for-profit hospitals". According to Dr. P.J. Devereaux, the lead author of the study, "With for-profit care, you end up paying with your money, and your life."

Huguette Allen.
Green Party MP Candidate
Industry & Small Business Critic

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I have been a resident of Coldstream since 1976. I have had 15 years of experience on Council, 3 years as Mayor. As a current Councillor I am working to achieve fair water and sewer rates and to ensure that taxpayers get fair treatment. The current direction regarding water supply is unsustainable and I am doing all I can to get the most cost effective water supply possible.