The CMA has proposed a “Canadian Health Charter” to the Romanow commission — yet another political stance and an example of the weak leadership so often demonstrated by our organization. The proposal restates the ideals in the Canada Health Act, but conspicuously fails to address the obvious underlying problem: a severe money shortage.
As long as the healthcare system is based on the Canada Health Act, healthcare funds can be generated only through taxation, or by diverting them from other priorities, such as education and housing. Rather than address this obvious and ultimately fatal flaw in our present system, the CMA sees fit to propose a charter that bypasses the real issue and only entrenches the attitude that the Canada Health Act is sacred and inviolate.
Should this proposed charter achieve anything approaching legal status, it is the legal profession who will be rejoicing as the various parties fight for their unaffordable “rights.”
This proposal is nothing but a political declaration and does not deserve the support of the membership.
Roger Leekam Diagnostic Radiologist West End Diagnostic Imaging Toronto, Ont.