Ask someone who is waiting for a test or surgery, or who cannot find a family doctor what is wrong with Canadian health care and they will say “access”. Ask a patient who has experienced its medical failings and they will say “accountability”. A doctor, nurse or other health care provider will tell you it’s the system while a politician will tell you whatever they think you want to hear.
If someone asked this question of you today what would your answer be? What information would you base it on?
Many health care stakeholders feel that the issues facing our Canadian health care system are too complex for people to understand. This viewpoint reminds me of the famous line from the 1992 movie A Few Good Men when actor Jack Nicholson yells “You can’t handle the truth!” Oh, but we can handle the truth, we need the truth and it is going to take more than a few good men and women to find it!
What can I tell you so far about my search for answers? Understanding the Canadian health care system involves the same approach as solving a difficult equation. One must have information available on all of the factors involved. Some of the things I’ve discovered are disturbing while others make me hopeful.
What better place to start the search than in Saskatchewan, Canada. For this is the birthplace of Canadian Medicare. This is where it all began.