March
2, 2006
To
the Editor:
The
veil to Conservative hypocrisy has finally been lifted.
Alberta's Ralph Klein finally revealed his "Third Way"
plan for health care.
Under
the "Third Way" if you have money, you can get access to health
care quickly; doctors can work in both the public system and operate a
private clinic and services that are experimental may not be covered by
public funding.
During
the recent election campaign, Stephen Harper promised to uphold The
Canada Health Act.
The Canada Health Act states that the primary objective of
Canadian health care policy is to facilitate reasonable access to health
services without financial or other barriers.
It further states that the health care insurance plan must entitle
one hundred per cent of insured people health services on uniform terms
and conditions.
Obviously, the Conservative "Third Way" guarantees
neither uniform term and conditions nor access without financial barriers.
The
Harper government would not denounce the "Third Way" as illegal,
but said they would examine it and said that the issue is politically
sensitive.
When will Stephen Harper quit playing politics with health care and
stand up for Canadian patients?
Is Harper so concerned about offending Ralph Klein that he will
abandon a fundamental social program?
Is Harper worried about alienating his Alberta support base by
saying "no" to Ralph Klein?
After
declaring that there was no hidden agenda, Stephen Harper is now faced
with either admitting that it was there all along or stand up to Ralph.
It's
time for Harper to stand up and truly defend The Canada Health Act.
Sincerely,
Jim
Karygiannis
