Chapter 3

“NDP health critic Dix draws line on doctors dabbling in private care”

Should health care be privately or publicly funded? This has always been the question but do we think about the people behind? This article is showing perspectives from the doctors and the NDP health critic, Adrian Dix. Although the election still has a long way to come, there is not much word about the changes that would be made if the New Democratic Party were returned to power, such as the health care issue. Adrian Dix, the NDP health critic made a commitment for some people working in the health care system. Through the interview, we know there are doctors who do regular shifts in the operating room, and also choose to work extra work in the private system. Does the NDP see anything wrong with that? The anesthesiologist, Dr. Ian Courtise believes this is a normal situation in a democratic society. The NDP believes if the doctors all going over to the private system, it will create a longer wait lists in the public system. During this interview, the conflict between the NDP and the supporters of privatized health care. Some doctors believe it is absolutely alright to work on both public and private system under a democratic society. Anyhow, the NDP believes ones who benefit from the public system; they should be in the public system. NDP definitely disagree with doctors working on both sides.

Relationships to Chapter 3 – Medicare

As we learn in chapter 3, there is a combination of private and public health care but which one is better? How are people being affected? While the Opposition, NDP disagrees that the doctors should only work in the public system, the doctors prefer working under private system because they get better pay and a better working environment. If a portion of doctors are going to private clinics, not only they will get a better pay, it will affects the social issues. For example, there are complaints about the long line ups for surgeries under the public health care system. If there is a private healthcare to back-up the public system, the line ups would be much faster. Additionally, the reason why Canada is having a huge problem on doctor shortages is due to the income. The income for doctors has always been around the same. Not like privatized healthcare, doctors get better pay and this would encourage more students to become a doctor. Finally, there is positive third-party effects associated with the disease control if everyone in the community is guaranteed at least a certain level of care. There is still a long way until the government can make a decision on whether the healthcare should be privatized or not but I think it is definitely a bigger concern on low income people because they are always the one who has the most affect.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=c00ae6cf-b923-4bec-9234-e7ebe5018547&k=10524&p=1