hockeyfan1
New member
A top heart specialist performing surgery on well-to-do foreigners is, by definition, not available at that moment to treat Ontarians.
The hospitals answer that they can use medical tourism funds to keep operating rooms open longer and thus reduce wait times for Ontarians. But this in turn, underscores the real problems of the health-care system ? the fact that governments, both federal and provincial, are cutting back funds.
If this money comes from the public, the system will respond to public needs. But if it comes from wealthy foreigners, the system will respond to their needs. This is how things work. It is a fact of life.
Medicare is based on the notion that access is determined by need rather than wealth, that the sickest are treated first.
Medical tourism turns this principle on its head. Access goes to those willing to pay.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/04/03/why_ontarios_medical_tourism_threatens_medicare_walkom.html
The hospitals answer that they can use medical tourism funds to keep operating rooms open longer and thus reduce wait times for Ontarians. But this in turn, underscores the real problems of the health-care system ? the fact that governments, both federal and provincial, are cutting back funds.
If this money comes from the public, the system will respond to public needs. But if it comes from wealthy foreigners, the system will respond to their needs. This is how things work. It is a fact of life.
Medicare is based on the notion that access is determined by need rather than wealth, that the sickest are treated first.
Medical tourism turns this principle on its head. Access goes to those willing to pay.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/04/03/why_ontarios_medical_tourism_threatens_medicare_walkom.html
