health care

Friday December 22, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 22, 2023 The shifting Canadian attitudes towards pharmacare, as reflected in recent surveys, involve considerations of health care priorities, political negotiations, and changing sentiments amidst economic uncertainties and the ongoing pandemic, with key players including Justin Trudeau, Jagmeet Singh, and the evolving landscape of Canadian politics.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 22, 2023

Changing Tides in Canadian Attitudes Towards Pharmacare 

June 13, 2019

In recent years, Canadians appear to be reassessing the urgency of implementing a national pharmacare plan, particularly in light of the profound challenges posed by the pandemic. According to a 2023 survey conducted by Leger, only 18 percent of respondents consider a universal single-payer drug plan a top health-care priority. The focus has shifted towards addressing more immediate concerns such as surgical wait times, long-term care expansion, and mental health services, garnering 36 percent, 32 percent, and 30 percent support, respectively.

This shift in sentiment is underscored by the limited awareness of the government’s pharmacare plans, with 53 percent of those polled being unfamiliar with the proposed legislation. Negotiations between the Liberals and New Democrats, who pledged support for pharmacare in exchange for prioritizing NDP concerns, have encountered obstacles, primarily due to disagreements over the structure of the system.

News: Pharmacare not the top health priority for most Canadians: survey

September 3, 2021

While 44 percent of respondents support a drug plan covering those without existing coverage, seniors, and individuals earning less than $90,000 annually, only 22 percent believe the plan should replace basic employer-provided drug coverage. Despite the lack of overwhelming support for pharmacare, opposition remains relatively weak, with only 17 percent stating that it should not be a government priority.

Even within the Conservative voter base, only 23 percent express outright opposition to pharmacare, suggesting potential acceptance among the majority. The political landscape is crucial, with the Liberals relying on pharmacare legislation to secure NDP support and avoid an early election amid a dip in Conservative support.

April 22, 2021

In stark contrast, just four years ago, Canadians overwhelmingly supported the idea of pharmacare. In a 2019 poll conducted by Environics Research, 93 percent of respondents believed it was crucial for everyone in Canada to have equal access to prescription drugs. A resounding 88 percent felt that the federal government should take responsibility for ensuring such access.

The high cost of prescription drugs was a significant concern, leading 24 percent of households to make compromises, such as not filling or renewing prescriptions, to cope with expenses. The poll highlighted the widespread support for a universal national pharmacare program, with almost 90 percent of Canadians endorsing the initiative.

News: Pharmacare bill to be tabled by March 2024, Liberals and NDP confirm  

March 6, 2018

The stress of prescription drug costs on household budgets was reported by 35 percent of Canadians, while 21 percent of those with coverage still found the out-of-pocket expenses challenging. Disparities in access were evident, with certain groups facing greater barriers, including women, Indigenous people, those aged 18 to 44, individuals with lower incomes, and those in poorer health.

The Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions advocated for federal leadership and an equitable drug strategy, emphasizing the urgent need for a national universal pharmacare program. The poll results indicated that pharmacare was a critical concern for Canadians, urging political parties to prioritize it in the federal election discussions.

April 8, 2022

This divergence in public opinion over a relatively short period underscores the dynamic nature of Canadian attitudes towards pharmacare, with recent challenges and economic uncertainties prompting a reconsideration of priorities. The contrast with the overwhelming support just four years ago highlights the evolving nature of public sentiment in the face of changing circumstances. (AI)

 

Tuesday December 13, 2023

The staggered rollout of the federal dental care plan, akin to waiting for the Easter Bunny, with a complex tale of eligibility, income thresholds, co-pay percentages, and fulfilling a Liberal edge to the NDP crutch.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 13, 2023

A Toothsome Tale of Canada’s Dental Care Dilemma

April 8, 2022

In the whimsical world of Canadian healthcare, where policy decisions are wrapped in festive bows and delivered with the flair of a holiday gift, the latest offering is a dental care plan that seems to be banking on the Easter Bunny to bring smiles to the faces of eligible Canadians.

Picture this: as children across the nation sing “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,” the federal government, led by Santa Trudeau himself, unveils a $13-billion dental care plan. It promises routine dentistry coverage for eligible citizens, with a staggered rollout that seems so meticulously planned, it might as well be orchestrated by the tooth fairy.

The government’s plan, set to cover kids under 18 and certain seniors first, leaves the rest of the eligible population anxiously awaiting their turn. It’s a dental drama unfolding in slow motion, with applications for seniors aged 87 and over opening this month and other age groups set to apply in the new year. The anticipation is almost as suspenseful as waiting for the Easter Bunny to make its elusive appearance.

News: Federal dental insurance plan details unveiled. What to know  

March 27, 2023

The staggered application process, we’re told, is designed for a smooth rollout. One can’t help but wonder if they are preparing Canadians for a magical dental adventure, complete with hidden eggs filled with oral health benefits.

As the plan takes shape, it replaces an interim program that has been sending cheques directly to families with kids under 12 for the past two years. It’s like transitioning from the Grinch stealing Christmas to a jolly Santa delivering dental coverage. Yet, the real question is, are we now waiting for the Easter Bunny to hop along with the next phase?

In the background, there’s a tooth fairy sprinkling dental benefits over the eager crowd, while Santa Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh play the roles of oral health superheroes. Singh, wielding a suction instrument and a file folder labeled “dental plan,” reassures Canadians, “We’re working on it.” It’s as if the fate of our dental care is in the hands of a magical dental duo.

August 11, 2022

The eligibility criteria, with a household income threshold and phased co-pay percentages, adds another layer of complexity to this dental odyssey. Families with incomes below $70,000 get a toothsome deal with no co-pays, while those in the $80,000 to $89,999 bracket face a 60% co-pay. It’s like a dental pricing strategy straight out of a fairy tale, where your financial status determines the enchantment level of your coverage.

While the government assures us that the dental care plan is here to “fill the gaps” in the system, one can’t help but wonder if the gaps are being filled by the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny, or both. Will the provinces and territories, like characters in a bedtime story, agree to keep their existing programs operational?

As we wait for the Easter Bunny to deliver dental care, one thing is for sure: the dental plan rollout is a story that combines elements of magic, suspense, and a dash of political wit. So, as we sing “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,” let’s hope the Easter Bunny brings a basketful of dental miracles next. After all, in the fantastical world of Canadian healthcare, stranger things have happened. (AI) 

Friday May 19, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 19, 2023

Nursing Agencies: Profits Over Patients

March 1, 2023

Nursing agencies are taking advantage of the nursing shortage, driving up profits while pushing publicly-funded organizations towards bankruptcy. This predatory behavior harms our health care system and must be addressed.

Nursing agencies were meant to address short-term staffing shortages, not fill chronic, province-wide, full-time nursing staff gaps. Reliance on these agencies is unsustainable and leaves rural hospitals and long-term care homes with limited options and soaring costs.

The recent closure of the emergency department in Minden, Ontario, due to staff shortages, highlights the community-wide impact. Nursing agencies thrive due to lack of regulation, charging exorbitant rates up to $300 per hour, while public hospitals are restricted from offering incentives.

News: Staffing woes in Ontario’s health system drive growth in patient complaints  

January 21, 2023

This creates conflict among colleagues, as agency nurses earn more while permanent staff train them and supervise their work. The toxic environment drives nurses away, hindering the profession and discouraging new talent.

Instead of relying on agencies, we should focus on training more nurses within Canada and supporting countries in need. Expanding nursing student seats and fostering partnerships between universities and rural hospitals will attract and retain nurses in underserved areas.

We must establish government oversight, including licensing and cost restrictions for nursing agencies, to protect nurses and ensure affordable, high-quality health care.

It’s time to prioritize the stability of our nursing workforce and build a more equitable health care system for all. (AI)

 

Saturday March 25, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 25, 2023

When the Rain Cloud of Affordability Strikes

March 23, 2023

The cost of living is a complex issue that affects people from all walks of life. It’s not just about the price of goods and services, but also about the availability of affordable housing, healthcare, and education, among other things. Unfortunately, for many families, the cost of living has become a dark cloud that hangs over their heads, threatening to rain down financial ruin.

To illustrate this point, let’s imagine a satirical scenario where a family is out for a leisurely walk on a sunny day, only to be suddenly caught in a downpour. As the rain pours down around them, they realize that they’re completely soaked through and shivering. Looking up, they see a dark cloud hovering over their heads, representing the affordability crisis that has made their lives so difficult.

The family looks at each other in dismay. They know that they can’t afford to go home and change their clothes, let alone buy a new set of rain gear to protect themselves from future storms. They’re stuck, cold and wet, with no way out.

As they trudge through the rain, they notice other families in the same predicament. Some are huddled under awnings, trying to stay dry. Others are frantically trying to find a way to get home without getting even more soaked. But there’s no escape from the rain, and no relief from the financial pressure that is bearing down on them.

January 31, 2023

In this scenario, the rain represents the constant financial stress that families face in the face of rising costs and stagnant wages. The dark cloud symbolizes the looming sense of uncertainty that hangs over their heads, making it difficult to plan for the future or feel secure in their present circumstances.

As the family finally makes it home, they realize that they’ve been lucky to make it through the rain without any major mishaps. But they also know that they can’t keep living like this forever. They need real solutions to the affordability crisis, not just band-aid fixes that will only delay the inevitable.

LINK: Ontario unveils biggest-ever $204B budget, but one with little to ease daily affordability issues (CBC) 

It’s time for society as a whole to take a serious look at the cost of living and work together to find solutions that will benefit everyone. Whether it’s through policy changes, community initiatives, or individual actions, we can all play a role in helping families weather the storm of financial hardship and find a path towards a brighter, more secure future. (AI)

 

Wednesday March 1, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 1, 2023

Sliding toward a new reality in health care

January 17, 2023

According to an Ipsos opinion poll released in February, more Canadians than ever are open to the idea of private-sector delivery of publicly-funded health-care service. Not only did the poll find 59 per cent of respondents support private delivery, 60 per cent supported the idea of private care for those who can afford it.

But wait — just a couple of months earlier half of the respondents to an Angus Reid Institute poll said more private care options would a negative impact on the system, with only 32 per cent believing private options would improve things.

Vagaries of methodology and ideology aside, what’s going on here. Could both things be true? Neither?

It’s a relevant discussion as Ontario and other provinces look to the private sector to deliver more services, reducing wait times and allowing more people to get needed care. But how much private-sector involvement is too much? When does the Canada Health Act, the blueprint for universal health care, become more of a suggestion than the rule?

It certainly doesn’t help when governments, in particular the Ontario government, are more interested in promoting their preferred ideological and political outcome than in providing straight answers.

August 19, 2022

Consider Premier Doug Ford’s promise that Ontarians will always be able to access care with their “health card not a credit card.” Lovely sentiment, but is it true?

There is a lot of private-sector delivery of health services already in the market, so no one can credibly claim private delivery doesn’t work. But increasingly there are some grey areas that should make us worry.

For example, consider the pediatric practice in Toronto that offers same-day virtual access to registered practical nurse services, but only to people willing to pay a monthly subscription and per visit fee. Yes, sick young patients will be seen regardless, but if you want to be sure of same-day virtual care and in-person consultation within a day or so, you need to pay.

Without casting aspersions, does that really sound like equitable access to care, as described in the Canada Health Act? Or does it sound more like real two-tier care, one tier for those who can afford it, the other for those who cannot?

January 18, 2023

There are other anecdotal examples, including some where people say they’ve been told they can get access to services and procedures, but it might take a year or more, unless they want to pay in which case they can get access in short order.

Some tiered service has existed for years now, such as in cataract surgery, where patients are offered different options for lenses, one covered by OHIP, others not and available if you can afford them or have insurance coverage.

The point here is not to denigrate services, patients or providers dealing with this changing landscape. It is that the system is evolving, in real time, without much reflection, debate or study. We’re sliding toward a different health-care universe, and it’s happening largely by stealth. That’s not the he way it should be, nor is it a prescription for success or public buy-in. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)