Healthcare under siege.

Media Release June 29, 2008

LUMBY– Healthcare under siege.

Universal Healthcare is under threat in Canada. The dangers posed by the American model of "for-profit" healthcare cannot be overstated. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), allowing more for-profit healthcare in Canada will be the "thin edge of the wedge" that could rob Canadians of their National Healthcare system. We must not let that happen.

Yet it is happening as we sleep.

There is a Public-Private Partnership (P3) hospital being built in Abbotsford. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) announced that 240 public long-term care beds will be closed and replaced with beds operated by private for-profit companies!

Here at home, Interior health is engaged in a P3 deal with Infusion Health, for the building of the new tower at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. No information about the agreement with Infusion Health has been forthcoming from either Interior Health or the Campbell Government. If, as the Hon. George Abbott states, the Province is paying 60% of the costs, and we know that the property taxpayers of North Okanagan-Shuswap are paying 40%, then the question is: How is Infusion Health profiting?

Premier Campbell has NO MANDATE to privatize the healthcare system. Privatization of Healthcare is a Federal issue. The Federal Government must use the full force of the Canada Health Act to prevent the privatization of our National Healthcare system.

Privatization has been proven to be bad for Canadians. A study done by McMaster University reported that the "Canadian government would pay an extra $7.2 billion in annual health care costs if Canada switched to investor-owned private for-profit hospitals". According to Dr. P .J. Devereaux, the lead author of the study, "With for-profit care, you end up paying with your money, and your life."

The Vernon and Districts Taxpayers' Association has sounded the wake-up call with its petition of 18,000+ signatures and their further demand for full disclosure of the role played by 'private' for-profit companies in our publicly-funded healthcare system. I fully support their position.


Huguette Allen
Okanagan Shuswap Green Party MP Candidate.