Conservatives Refuse to Reject Alberta Two-Tiered Health Proposal

On February 28, 2006 Alberta Premier Ralph Klein unveiled his new Health Policy Framework, a series of health care reforms with all the markings of a two-tiered system. One of the more destructive proposals will allow doctors to practice in both public and private facilities, diverting resources from the publicly-funded health care system while allowing patients to pay for faster access to treatment.

During the election campaign, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to defend publicly-funded health care. But now that the Canada Health Act could be in jeopardy, the Prime Minister doesn’t seem to be terribly concerned about protecting Medicare.

“I can only say that the document in Alberta is only a working document,” Mr. Harper told reporters today. “The Government of Canada intends to study the content of that document and I can say that we intend to publish a full response in the future. Firstly, I would like to study that document in depth.”

Health Minister Tony Clement has also refused to reject the report, telling the press that he will “carefully study” the proposals.

The Liberal Party has always staunchly defended a universal public health care system in Canada. We do not need to study in depth the intricacies of a framework that allows a few people to buy their way to the front of the line for treatments while leaving most Canadians out in the cold.

Under the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care, our government worked hard with the provinces and territories to establish national benchmarks for medical wait times so that all Canadians – no matter where they live or how much money they earn – will share in the benefits of a strengthened health care system.

As Liberals, we will continue to protect our health care system. Any reforms to must respect the Canada Health Act, strengthen the single-payer system and ensure that doctors are not able to opt in and out of the public system.

Will the Prime Minister keep his pledge to the Canadian people to protect our country’s health care system, or will he be true to his base of Canadian Alliance and Reform Party supporters?
Prime Minister Harper, your roots are showing.