MM1-4

"Canada's Leading Health Care Professionals" ... the entire panel with the exception of the journalists is made up of physicians. Where is the representation from the rest of the health care team? No one to represent the viewpoint of nurses or the other front-line workers, many of whom have some excellent ideas on how to make the system more efficient and affordable. I am not sure if you are aware of it but university-trained nurses have the highest averages coming into university of any faculty. They are an intelligent bunch. They work for a salary so they have nothing to gain if the system changes and they are given more responsiblity (vs many physicians who work on a fee for service basis). They are a real bargain at $40.00/hr. if the system would just utilize them to their potential.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/01/14/in-conversation-with-macleans-health-series/#IDComment121738732

MM1-3

I would hardly call this panel of Nova Scotian healthcare professionals "Canada's *Leading* Healthcare Professionals". The most competent and well-versed voices work in Toronto and are members of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons. It's here -- in Toronto -- that the lion's share of healthcare policy is made for the greatest population of Canadians. Quebec, BC and Alberta are close seconds. Then there's Nova Scotia and the Maritime provinces. Thus the "Nationalist" characterization of this debate is suspect. It's well known that Nova Scotia has a rather politically complacent population in respect of their use of healthcare services and are VERY ACCEPTING of outdated paternalistic models for clinical care. Just look at Dr. Jane Brooks page at Doctors Nova Scotia informing the public about their Medical Records. Then go to Ontario's CPSO site on the same topic. The citizens of Nova Scotia accept this appalling secrecy and further they submit to barriers to abortion service that other Canadian women wouldn't. Any model proposed by this group will not be AT ALL reflective of the current values shared by the majority of Canadians.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/01/14/in-conversation-with-macleans-health-series/#IDComment121690695

MM1-1

I wish that this discussion would be really about improving Medicare but unfortunately it is all about privatizing it like the USA model. Medicare needs more funding, more professionals and we can affort it because we have higher taxes in Canada for this purpose. Instead of spending millions buying flight jets, look after heath and education. We don't need weapons, we need more MRI machines, more update hospitals. All my americans friends envy our system and they would love to have it implemented in USA. If people has the money and wish to pay extra to private clinics, they are welcome to cross the border and do so.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/01/14/in-conversation-with-macleans-health-series/#IDComment121533454