Most of our problems with ‘healthcare’ delivery would be settled if individuals had the ‘right’ to pay for services rendered at clinics, where receipts (for tax exemption and /or insurance rangling) would be issued. The professionals at clinics must also have the ‘right’ to charge. Such a free-market ‘uncueing’ of the public Emergency Room pressures would leave that ‘free’ option to those who believe so strongly in the 1960s approach of Tommy Douglas.
The economic model of our medical system is not sustainable. The sooner that we all take ownership of our own health the sooner we can get the model back on track. I lived in Germany for a long time and while their system is not perfect they do participate in a very proactive approach to preventative health and citizens know that their own health is their own responsibility. NS has some of the best medical facilities in the country and it is being abused by people who take no responsibility for their own health. Imagine a scenario where you would be denied open heart surgery if it was demonstrable that you had done nothing in the way of diet and exercise to prevent heart disease. If we knew we personally had to pay for things like open heart surgery might we all be a little more inclined to look after ourselves to mange the risk factor? Somehow the message needs to be sent home to roost that we are paying for our medical system from our own pockets but because it comes in the form of taxation we find it easy to absolve ourselves of all responsibility.
The argument is always made that smokers, drinkers and gamblers are the biggest tax payers and they might be right. So how about turning that around and giving tax breaks to people who can demonstrate a willingness to care of their own health. A tax refund on fitness memberships and equipment might be a logical place to start. How about providing tax incentives to people who choose to eat healthy food and supplementation. Our health care industry is in fact a sick care industry where drugs are subsidized but things that actually help prevent disease are dismissed as being not relevant.
The economics of our present system demands an overhaul so we can continue to enjoy the privlege of universal medicare.
The same argument against Private Schools can be applied to our so called two tiered medical argument. I never did understand how people could think that by shutting out private schools and then having all of those students suddenly be fed into the public system could save anyone (except the person paying the private school fees) money. That same argument says that people who choose to use their money, however they see fit, can pay a hefty fee for a surgery or service outside the provincial model. That just means that someone else who cannot afford to pay for their own now jumps closer to the front of the line.
We have to stop harping about sacred cows and start looking for innovative ways to manage what we have. Let’s start with taking responsibility for our lifestyles!
There has been no “talk” concerning the amount of health care that Nova Scotia provides to the other Maritime provinces. One need only to cruise the parking lots of the VG and QEII hospitals to see the number of out-of-province vehicles. In a recent conversation with a doctor at the QEII I learned that the “problem” in New Brusnwick wasn’t, in a particular medical field, a lack of qualified specialists, it was the refusal of the NB government to purchase the necessary hospital equipment.
At the same time New Brunswick provides health benefits to Americans who routinely cross our border having acquired health cards. It has been estimated that approximately 8000 Americans have gained access to NB medical services.
I have no idea who really “manages” health care and what it costs. I see health boards on top of health boards and they seem to like to give and get awards. I don’t see any financial statement for any hospital. I never see any sign of anyone checking up on what my doctor billed for my visits. Use your computer , send me an email with what the system was charged, and maybe we’ll all learn . I see the ER being used like a walk in clinic, and not just by the public as some doctors seem to suggest that . Your need to go to ER should be a note that goes on your Doctor’s file too. So , lets’ start with Management. I want an internet site that shows the management of each hospital.Then I want the revenue and expense reports for that hospital, and then I want their stats on volume of patients, operations , ER visits and also want to know the average provincially and federally. Do you know , an “out post” nurse in Labrador can adminster far more care than a VON nurse in NS. We need a better front line, and we need health
checks of ever kid in ever school.
Most of our problems with ‘healthcare’ delivery would be settled if individuals had the ‘right’ to pay for services rendered at clinics, where receipts (for tax exemption and /or insurance rangling) would be issued. The professionals at clinics must also have the ‘right’ to charge. Such a free-market ‘uncueing’ of the public Emergency Room pressures would leave that ‘free’ option to those who believe so strongly in the 1960s approach of Tommy Douglas.
gordon stanfield | May 30, 2011 |
The economic model of our medical system is not sustainable. The sooner that we all take ownership of our own health the sooner we can get the model back on track. I lived in Germany for a long time and while their system is not perfect they do participate in a very proactive approach to preventative health and citizens know that their own health is their own responsibility. NS has some of the best medical facilities in the country and it is being abused by people who take no responsibility for their own health. Imagine a scenario where you would be denied open heart surgery if it was demonstrable that you had done nothing in the way of diet and exercise to prevent heart disease. If we knew we personally had to pay for things like open heart surgery might we all be a little more inclined to look after ourselves to mange the risk factor? Somehow the message needs to be sent home to roost that we are paying for our medical system from our own pockets but because it comes in the form of taxation we find it easy to absolve ourselves of all responsibility.
The argument is always made that smokers, drinkers and gamblers are the biggest tax payers and they might be right. So how about turning that around and giving tax breaks to people who can demonstrate a willingness to care of their own health. A tax refund on fitness memberships and equipment might be a logical place to start. How about providing tax incentives to people who choose to eat healthy food and supplementation. Our health care industry is in fact a sick care industry where drugs are subsidized but things that actually help prevent disease are dismissed as being not relevant.
The economics of our present system demands an overhaul so we can continue to enjoy the privlege of universal medicare.
The same argument against Private Schools can be applied to our so called two tiered medical argument. I never did understand how people could think that by shutting out private schools and then having all of those students suddenly be fed into the public system could save anyone (except the person paying the private school fees) money. That same argument says that people who choose to use their money, however they see fit, can pay a hefty fee for a surgery or service outside the provincial model. That just means that someone else who cannot afford to pay for their own now jumps closer to the front of the line.
We have to stop harping about sacred cows and start looking for innovative ways to manage what we have. Let’s start with taking responsibility for our lifestyles!
Roxanne Rees | May 5, 2011 |
There has been no “talk” concerning the amount of health care that Nova Scotia provides to the other Maritime provinces. One need only to cruise the parking lots of the VG and QEII hospitals to see the number of out-of-province vehicles. In a recent conversation with a doctor at the QEII I learned that the “problem” in New Brusnwick wasn’t, in a particular medical field, a lack of qualified specialists, it was the refusal of the NB government to purchase the necessary hospital equipment.
At the same time New Brunswick provides health benefits to Americans who routinely cross our border having acquired health cards. It has been estimated that approximately 8000 Americans have gained access to NB medical services.
PP | April 3, 2011 |
I have no idea who really “manages” health care and what it costs. I see health boards on top of health boards and they seem to like to give and get awards. I don’t see any financial statement for any hospital. I never see any sign of anyone checking up on what my doctor billed for my visits. Use your computer , send me an email with what the system was charged, and maybe we’ll all learn . I see the ER being used like a walk in clinic, and not just by the public as some doctors seem to suggest that . Your need to go to ER should be a note that goes on your Doctor’s file too. So , lets’ start with Management. I want an internet site that shows the management of each hospital.Then I want the revenue and expense reports for that hospital, and then I want their stats on volume of patients, operations , ER visits and also want to know the average provincially and federally. Do you know , an “out post” nurse in Labrador can adminster far more care than a VON nurse in NS. We need a better front line, and we need health
checks of ever kid in ever school.
PS | May 16, 2010 |