Harper Pledges Patient Wait Times Guarantee
ridenrain @ Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:27 pm
02 December 2005
Plan Upholds Principles of Canada Health Act; Rejects Private, Parallel System
This morning in Winnipeg, Stephen Harper and health critic Steven Fletcher announced that a Conservative government will work with provinces to develop a Health Care Guarantee that ensures patients receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.
“There will be no private, parallel system,” Mr. Harper said. “We can, and will, achieve better results for patients and maintain the essentials of our system of public health insurance while maintaining our universal public health care system.”
Since the Liberals took power, the average waiting time for treatment has almost doubled, to 18 weeks and 1.2 million Canadians don’t have a family doctor.
A Conservative government will:
-Work with the provinces to develop a Patient Wait Times Guarantee to ensure that all Canadians receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.
-Comply with the principles of the Canada Health Act.
Treat all patients equally for essential health care services, regardless of ability to pay.
-Increase the number of doctors and nurses by working with the provinces and territories to expand educational programs for health care professionals.
Protecting public health care is a difficult and challenging task. Paul Martin likes to talk about a quick fix for a generation. Canadians now know there’s no such thing as a quick fix for health care.
A Conservative government will deliver timely access to quality health care services regardless of ability to pay. Only a new Conservative government will give Canadians a Patient Wait Times Guarantee.
Link
It's what, day 4? Harper & the Conservative party have a plan to:
- Fix the culture of entitlement with the Federal Accountability Act
- Establish Director of Public Prosecutions to keep politics out of justice
- Give taxpayers a break with GST Reductions
Today, he's working to improve the medical system for ALL Canadians.
And the competition?
Paul Martin and the Liberals made a deal with a trade union...
so who does Paul work for again?
The "new" Conservative party
We had a lot of time to think about this stuff, ya know.
Ruserious @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:35 pm
ridenrain ridenrain:
02 December 2005
Plan Upholds Principles of Canada Health Act; Rejects Private, Parallel System
This morning in Winnipeg, Stephen Harper and health critic Steven Fletcher announced that a Conservative government will work with provinces to develop a Health Care Guarantee that ensures patients receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.
“There will be no private, parallel system,” Mr. Harper said. “We can, and will, achieve better results for patients and maintain the essentials of our system of public health insurance while maintaining our universal public health care system.”
Since the Liberals took power, the average waiting time for treatment has almost doubled, to 18 weeks and 1.2 million Canadians don’t have a family doctor.
A Conservative government will:
-Work with the provinces to develop a Patient Wait Times Guarantee to ensure that all Canadians receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.
-Comply with the principles of the Canada Health Act.
Treat all patients equally for essential health care services, regardless of ability to pay.
-Increase the number of doctors and nurses by working with the provinces and territories to expand educational programs for health care professionals.
Protecting public health care is a difficult and challenging task. Paul Martin likes to talk about a quick fix for a generation. Canadians now know there’s no such thing as a quick fix for health care.
A Conservative government will deliver timely access to quality health care services regardless of ability to pay. Only a new Conservative government will give Canadians a Patient Wait Times Guarantee.
Link
It's what, day 4? Harper & the Conservative party have a plan to:
- Fix the culture of entitlement with the Federal Accountability Act
- Establish Director of Public Prosecutions to keep politics out of justice
- Give taxpayers a break with GST Reductions
Today, he's working to improve the medical system for ALL Canadians.
And the competition?
Paul Martin and the Liberals made a deal with a trade union...
so who does Paul work for again?
The "new" Conservative party
We had a lot of time to think about this stuff, ya know.
Too bad for Harper and the Conservative party that none of those proposals either make sense or are practical.Plan Upholds Principles of Canada Health Act; Rejects Private, Parallel System
This morning in Winnipeg, Stephen Harper and health critic Steven Fletcher announced that a Conservative government will work with provinces to develop a Health Care Guarantee that ensures patients receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.
“There will be no private, parallel system,” Mr. Harper said. “We can, and will, achieve better results for patients and maintain the essentials of our system of public health insurance while maintaining our universal public health care system.”
Since the Liberals took power, the average waiting time for treatment has almost doubled, to 18 weeks and 1.2 million Canadians don’t have a family doctor.
A Conservative government will:
-Work with the provinces to develop a Patient Wait Times Guarantee to ensure that all Canadians receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.
-Comply with the principles of the Canada Health Act.
Treat all patients equally for essential health care services, regardless of ability to pay.
-Increase the number of doctors and nurses by working with the provinces and territories to expand educational programs for health care professionals.
Protecting public health care is a difficult and challenging task. Paul Martin likes to talk about a quick fix for a generation. Canadians now know there’s no such thing as a quick fix for health care.
A Conservative government will deliver timely access to quality health care services regardless of ability to pay. Only a new Conservative government will give Canadians a Patient Wait Times Guarantee.
Link
It's what, day 4? Harper & the Conservative party have a plan to:
- Fix the culture of entitlement with the Federal Accountability Act
- Establish Director of Public Prosecutions to keep politics out of justice
- Give taxpayers a break with GST Reductions
Today, he's working to improve the medical system for ALL Canadians.
And the competition?
Paul Martin and the Liberals made a deal with a trade union...
so who does Paul work for again?
The "new" Conservative party
We had a lot of time to think about this stuff, ya know.
But it's not surprising to see him toss out pipe dreams as though they had any chance of coming to fruition.
Desperate men will do desperate things in order to attain power.
You'd think that at least one member of his caucus or party would know the laws of this nation.
$1:
First, the constitutional job of prosecuting crooks in this country is the role of provincial authorities, not the feds. Unless an offence includes areas of federal jurisdiction -- say, an illegal immigrant who violates the grain transportation laws -- this new federal office would have superlatively little to do with rooting out government corruption.
Harper's promise to remove politicians from the process is equally lame. A Conservative adviser said the special prosecutor would be appointed by the ruling government, and would still report to the federal attorney general, a member of cabinet. No politicians in that loop.
The whole policy is so obviously and fatally flawed, we just had to know who came up with it in the first place. Turns out it was plucked from a 15-year-old discussion paper put out by the Law Reform Commission.
The idea is not only dumb policy, it is also dumb politics. In Quebec, the feds seizing control of provincial jurisdiction is headline material for separatist campaign literature. What's more, it severely challenges Harper's image as a devout and serious policy wonk.
Harper's promise to remove politicians from the process is equally lame. A Conservative adviser said the special prosecutor would be appointed by the ruling government, and would still report to the federal attorney general, a member of cabinet. No politicians in that loop.
The whole policy is so obviously and fatally flawed, we just had to know who came up with it in the first place. Turns out it was plucked from a 15-year-old discussion paper put out by the Law Reform Commission.
The idea is not only dumb policy, it is also dumb politics. In Quebec, the feds seizing control of provincial jurisdiction is headline material for separatist campaign literature. What's more, it severely challenges Harper's image as a devout and serious policy wonk.
As for the proposed GST cuts,
$1:
Instead, 12 minutes before Harper even got to the microphone for his big announcement yesterday, the Liberal campaign war room was inundating reporters with e-mails quoting experts saying the GST reduction is good politics but bad economics.
The Libs needn't have bothered -- the Conservative campaign is turning into a flying circus of disorganization perfectly capable of skewering itself.
In his announcement, Harper claimed an average family of four with an income of $60,000 would save $400 a year from the 1% cut in GST.
Not even close. A bit of simple math shows this magic family would have to spend $40,000 to get a $400 GST saving -- in addition to food, rent or mortgage payments, bank loans and everything else not subject to the tax.
In fact, a quick call to Statistics Canada shows Harper's average family would save something closer to $250 -- an error of only 33%.
Six hours after Harper's announcement, his staff were still trying to spin themselves out of the embarrassment.
The Libs needn't have bothered -- the Conservative campaign is turning into a flying circus of disorganization perfectly capable of skewering itself.
In his announcement, Harper claimed an average family of four with an income of $60,000 would save $400 a year from the 1% cut in GST.
Not even close. A bit of simple math shows this magic family would have to spend $40,000 to get a $400 GST saving -- in addition to food, rent or mortgage payments, bank loans and everything else not subject to the tax.
In fact, a quick call to Statistics Canada shows Harper's average family would save something closer to $250 -- an error of only 33%.
Six hours after Harper's announcement, his staff were still trying to spin themselves out of the embarrassment.
The above quotes were taken from a renown columnist who is also a Conservative supporter.
Apparently, the "new Conservative party" even with a lot of time to think about this stuff, still failed to think it through properly, ya know.
RUEZ @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 6:33 pm
At least they have a plan.
longtimelistener @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 6:42 pm
You call that a plan?
God help us all if that's all it takes to make people think that the Conservatives actually have a clue as to what they are doing.
RUEZ @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 6:47 pm
longtimelistener longtimelistener:
You call that a plan?
God help us all if that's all it takes to make people think that the Conservatives actually have a clue as to what they are doing.
I guess you prefer corruption, broken promises, and lengthy medical wait times? Not to mention a military that's been neutered. Not me.
God help us all if that's all it takes to make people think that the Conservatives actually have a clue as to what they are doing.
longtimelistener @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:04 pm
RUEZ RUEZ:
longtimelistener longtimelistener:
You call that a plan?
God help us all if that's all it takes to make people think that the Conservatives actually have a clue as to what they are doing.
I guess you prefer corruption, broken promises, and lengthy medical wait times? Not to mention a military that's been neutered. Not me.God help us all if that's all it takes to make people think that the Conservatives actually have a clue as to what they are doing.
It happened with Harris, Mulroney, Glen Clark and I'm sure it has happened with a host of others whose names I'm leaving out right now.
It's a fact of life.
Only a naiive fool would think that it wouldn't happen under a Harper led government.
Broken promises, again, name one leader that has kept every single promise that they made during a campaign.
I don't know where you live, but neither myself or any members of my family have ever been subjected to any lengthy medical wait times. I can call up our family physician and have an appointment to see them within 2 days if it's non-emergency. I had an MRI performed this past week, I waited all of 2 days between the time it was requested and the time it was done. In between, I was able to have x-rays taken and consult with the specialist and physical therapist.
Sounds to me as though it must be a local issue for you.
Good luck with that.
Granted our military isn't at the same level as it was during WWI or WWII but if you want to talk about the deterioration of it, you can lay blame as far back as the Conservative government of one John Deifenbaker for his cancelling the Avro project after being completely played and fooled by the Americans.
Red Bull @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:22 pm
I am getting a bit tired of neo-conservatives bleating on about the adscam as though they are the harbringers of all that is just and pure.
Granted, what happened in Quebec was terrible and inexcusable and those who stole taxpayers money should be punished and the money returned. However, the neo-cons should be careful of throwing rocks on this issue....Harper refuses to reveal the names of financial supporters for his leadership campaign. I wonder why? I wonder if Conrad Black gave him any money - money that was stolen from taxpayers?
Perhaps Mr. Harper's hidden agenda will become more apparent if and when we see his hidden donors list.
RUEZ @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:25 pm
longtimelistener longtimelistener:
I don't know where you live, but neither myself or any members of my family have ever been subjected to any lengthy medical wait times. I can call up our family physician and have an appointment to see them within 2 days if it's non-emergency. I had an MRI performed this past week, I waited all of 2 days between the time it was requested and the time it was done.
That's strange I guess all the stories I've read about wait times are false, sorry my bad. I guess the two years I had to wait for testing was just an anomaly.
RUEZ @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:26 pm
Red Bull Red Bull:
Perhaps Mr. Harper's hidden agenda will become more apparent if and when we see his hidden donors list.
That pile of crap is getting old and tired.
PluggyRug @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:31 pm
Harpers plan is sound, throw out some promises and get the Liberals to respond. Response is a defensive position.
The Liberals have been on the defensive for years, so more of the same always sound like the same tired old rhetoric.
It does not matter 'whats' being promised (we all know about that one).
Get it in first and undermine the opposition. This time the Liberals have no Belinda Stronach to reveal Conservative plans.
ridenrain @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:37 pm
This is a hoot.
I knew we'd have our regular hecklers but we're getting a whole lot of new or anonomous folks too. Is this the Liberal campaign office comming out to play?
longtimelistener @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:39 pm
RUEZ RUEZ:
longtimelistener longtimelistener:
I don't know where you live, but neither myself or any members of my family have ever been subjected to any lengthy medical wait times. I can call up our family physician and have an appointment to see them within 2 days if it's non-emergency. I had an MRI performed this past week, I waited all of 2 days between the time it was requested and the time it was done.
That's strange I guess all the stories I've read about wait times are false, sorry my bad. I guess the two years I had to wait for testing was just an anomaly.I've read all those stories as well.
Strangely enough though, they are always written or told by someone whom I or anyone that I know has ever heard of or met in person.
But I'm not discounting all of them, I'm sure some people have had to wait, but what was never taken into account was whether they made themselves available to have the treatment performed at a time when it was available.
With regards to your misfortune, I'm guessing if you had to wait 2 years for any kind of testing to be performed, it was neither an emergency nor life threatening or you simply didn't make the effort to meet the available window to have the testing performed.
RUEZ @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:41 pm
Must be a full moon tonight.
RUEZ @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:44 pm
longtimelistener longtimelistener:
I'm guessing if you had to wait 2 years for any kind of testing to be performed, it was neither an emergency nor life threatening or you simply didn't make the effort to meet the available window to have the testing performed.
Well I'm not sure if sleep apnea is considered an emergency, you stop breathing in your sleep and people have died from it. As for blaming me, that's pathetic. God you liberals are really grasping to hold on. Good riddance.
longtimelistener @ Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:47 pm
Red Bull Red Bull:
I am getting a bit tired of neo-conservatives bleating on about the adscam as though they are the harbringers of all that is just and pure.
Granted, what happened in Quebec was terrible and inexcusable and those who stole taxpayers money should be punished and the money returned. However, the neo-cons should be careful of throwing rocks on this issue....Harper refuses to reveal the names of financial supporters for his leadership campaign. I wonder why? I wonder if Conrad Black gave him any money - money that was stolen from taxpayers?
Perhaps Mr. Harper's hidden agenda will become more apparent if and when we see his hidden donors list.
Very well said my friend.
Granted, what happened in Quebec was terrible and inexcusable and those who stole taxpayers money should be punished and the money returned. However, the neo-cons should be careful of throwing rocks on this issue....Harper refuses to reveal the names of financial supporters for his leadership campaign. I wonder why? I wonder if Conrad Black gave him any money - money that was stolen from taxpayers?
Perhaps Mr. Harper's hidden agenda will become more apparent if and when we see his hidden donors list.
Why does Harper refuse to reveal the names of his financial supporters for his leadership campaign.
Probably because Harper has many unsavory skeletons hiding in his very own closet.
Of course, the neo-cons will continue to ignore that fact in the hopes that it will be overlooked by the voting public who aren't as willing to look that closely at Harper.
If memory serves me correctly though, wasn't this latest rendition of the Conservative party formed on a lie?
I could have sworn that Harper's right hand man, Peter made a promise not to merge the Conservatives with the Alliance, which is indeed what he did do.
I mean if you can't trust one not to lie to his own political brethren, how can you trust them not to lie to the Canadian people whose political ideology they don't share.