Letters to the editor
Canadian Doctors for Medicare
Dr. Danyaal Raza, Toronto
Volume 34 Issue 7, 8 & 9 | Posted: October 7, 2020
The Editor
At Canadian Doctors for Medicare we’re monitoring carefully how provincial governments are responding to the current public health crisis.
As we breathe a tentative sigh of relief that COVID-19 numbers are stabilizing in many communities across Canada after a difficult spring, the ripple effects of the pandemic are becoming more apparent. Thousands of surgical procedures were cancelled when hospitals adjusted operations to brace for a wave of COVID-19 patients. Now, as governments grapple with this backlog, some have announced their intention to contract out care to private for-profit investor-owned facilities. Along with Alberta board member Dr. Thara Kumar, CDM member and surgeon Dr. Lesley Barron wrote an op-ed raising some concerns with this approach.
The Editor
At Canadian Doctors for Medicare we’re monitoring carefully how provincial governments are responding to the current public health crisis.
As we breathe a tentative sigh of relief that COVID-19 numbers are stabilizing in many communities across Canada after a difficult spring, the ripple effects of the pandemic are becoming more apparent. Thousands of surgical procedures were cancelled when hospitals adjusted operations to brace for a wave of COVID-19 patients. Now, as governments grapple with this backlog, some have announced their intention to contract out care to private for-profit investor-owned facilities. Along with Alberta board member Dr. Thara Kumar, CDM member and surgeon Dr. Lesley Barron wrote an op-ed raising some concerns with this approach.
Meanwhile in Alberta, the newly passed Health Statutes Amendment Act, aka Bill 30, is raising serious concerns around the use of “public funds for private profits”. This omnibus bill contains provisions that change or repeal nine previous acts of the assembly. Among these changes are provisions that will allow public funds to flow to the delivery of private, for-profit health care services. Dr. Kumar and I wrote an op-ed about why this is a dangerous shift in health policy.
Lastly, we held a webinar last month about the Cambie trial in BC. This is the most notorious and serious legal attack that our public health care system has ever faced. During the webinar, CDM’s policy advisor Karen Palmer provided an excellent walk through the case and its potential implications.
Take good care,
Dr. Danyaal Raza
Chair, Canadian Doctors for Medicare
Dr. Danyaal Raza, Toronto