Dear Editor,
I am a family physician. I care greatly about the health and wellness of Canadians. I recognize the incredible teams of professionals and volunteers who deliver healthcare in our communities.
It is important to remember that the federal government has responsibilities for Healthcare.
Drug costs are higher in Canada than they need to be. Despite recent research showing that a national Pharmacare strategy could be a win-win situation for all Canadians and industry, the Harper Conservatives are not advocating for this drug plan for all Canadians. We need a government that recognizes the strain of prescription drug costs for everyday Canadians.
The federal government needs to show leadership in healthcare. This has been clearly stated by health policy experts, including in a recent editorial by Dr. M. Stanbrook in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). The Harper Conservatives allowed the 2004 Health Accord (which sets national standards for health and negotiates funding) to expire without any negotiations for a replacement. Federal leadership would allow for better efficiency, better delivery, and better health for Canadians. The provinces and territories know this and have been asking for federal cooperation in healthcare for the entire time the Harper Conservatives have been in power.
The Conservatives are also failing to show leadership in healthcare funding. The federal government shares some of the cost of our healthcare system through transfer payments to the provinces. The Harper government unilaterally changed the formula for funding to the provinces starting in 2017. Healthcare costs are projected to go up because of our aging population and other factors, yet this government is not committing to increase funding to parallel the increased costs. It is estimated that this will amount to a $36 billion shortfall over 10 years. The Harper Conservatives may plan not to raise federal taxes, but their plan will force the hand of provinces to cut programs or raise provincial taxes to make up the difference.
We all know that the greatest determinant of health is income. We need a government that will advocate for a living wage and affordable housing.
The Conservatives seem to have forgotten that healthcare is important to Canadians. Their vision will lead to more privatization, higher drug costs, and worse health outcomes. What we actually need is leadership and dialogue to reach better health outcomes for all Canadians. Now, when seniors and baby-boomers need it the most, is not the time to be compromising our healthcare system.
References available, upon request.
Dr Megan Grigg,
