While federal politics has been dominated by the boring and predictable Liberal civil war, action on the health care front is picking up.
With both the Kirby Senate committee and the Romanow royal commission unveiling their health reform blueprints this fall, this summer's health care headlines merit special attention.

A poll commissioned by the Canada Information Office (aka: government propaganda central) found that 53% of Canadians rank health care as their top issue. But only 26% of respondents rated Ottawa's performance on this file as 'good.'

So even if Mssrs. Kirby and Romanow produce substantive and workable reform packages, Ottawa's moral suasion to implement and lead this change is highly suspect.

But the provinces don't fare much better. A recent study by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) reports that the provinces spent only 60% of a $1 billion federal fund for medical equipment (set up in September 2000). Another 10% is unaccounted for and the remaining 30% was used to purchase lawnmowers, sowing machines, pressure cookers, bathtubs, and mattresses.

One can envision the conversation between a doctor and a patient.

Doc: "I'm terribly sorry Mr. Smith, the waiting list for your MRI scan is at least 12 weeks. But take heart, our hospital's grass now rivals the greens at Augusta and while you're waiting for your scan you can put patches on your kids' clothes, enjoy some great food in the cafeteria and get a good night's rest on our new Craftmatic adjustable beds."

Yes the health care debate has become more vigourous. Sadly, those who remain oblivious to what other countries (who face the same challenges of rising drug costs, an ageing population and mammoth public expectations) mask their myopia with rhetoric aimed at others who dare to 'think outside the box." Consider this text from a paper authored by Liberal policy icon Tom Kent for the Caledon Institute.

"Awareness of medicare's failings has grown. Its critics have more scope. Those who are its opponents, wanting to erode it and perhaps destroy it, have gained strength in the media, in sections of the federal Liberal party, and especially in provincial politics of various brands." Thanks Mr. Kent, is Elvis behind this conspiracy as well

Not to be outdone, Roy Romanow used the word demolish to describe those who don't subscribe to the present Soviet-style central planning status quo vision of medicare.

As for innovative solutions such as medical savings accounts (MSAs), we can only hope debate on this issue doesn't end based on a recent analysis conducted by U of T professor Raisa Deber (and others). Ms. Deber's paper concludes they can't work in Canada. But then why DO they work in Singapore and other places

Ironically, this same journal also includes a report from noted author Dr. David Gratzer (a Donner prize winner) who notes MSAs work in Singapore (ranked 7th by the WHO, Canada ranks in 30th place). Gratzer also points out that China is testing MSAs in 40 of their major cities. South Africa as well. And MSAs have been endorsed by the American Medical Association.

To date, Mr. Romanow has commissioned 40 major research papers to aid the work of his commission. Next week we'll look at the CTF's prescriptions for health care reform.