Canada is now nearly twice as wealthy per capita as it was when Medicare was established in 1967 - but we constantly hear the claim that Medicare is "unsustainable."
Shane Polak edit and produced.
Marc Lee is heavily edited. The audio quality is not as good as it could be as he stood in front of the condenser mic rather than behind it. You may need to do some additional editing.
Canada is now nearly twice as wealthy per capita as it was when Medicare was established in 1967 - but we constantly hear the claim that Medicare is "unsustainable." More fear is generated by the claim that an aging population will cause health care costs to "skyrocket" out of control. But this claim, too, does not stand up to scrutiny. Technology and drug company profits are the real villains.
Canadians should be demanding an expanded medicare - not accepting fewer services. With minimal new resources and better management we can fix the current problems. Profit is not the cure. Our productive economy and federal surpluses can clearly support a pharmacare program, an expansion of home care and even dental care.
That's the message of the health care forum.
Speakers: Long-time Council policy advisor Murray Dobbin, Health researcher and activist Colleen Fuller, Marc Lee, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
The future of Medicare - a future that should be full of hope not fear.