Two﷓tier health care can be simply defined as a health care plan that will allow for a pr

ivate or for﷓profit system to operate along side Medicare (Marshall, 200, 48). The system will allow the opportunity for those people who are willing to pay for health care to do just that. Ideally, it will take pressure off the current Medicare system by shortening waiting lists and generating revenue. The form of two-tier being proposed in New Brunswick involves a private system that will operate parallel to the current public system and will allow people to purchase private insurance if so desired (Deber et al, 1999, 539﷓43). Some politicians like to define two﷓tier health care in different terms. BC Health Minister Paul Ramsey says, "I cannot think of a clearer definition of a two﷓tier health system than having one set of services available to those who have large bank accounts and can afford to just go to it and another public system for the rest of us." This politician is obviously voicing his negative opinion of the proposed system by constructing this biased definition. I believe politicians try to appeal to voters by voicing emotional tirades about proposed alternatives to Medicare. Dr. Edwin Coffey, a past president of the Quebec Medical Association and a well-known supporter of two tier health care explains the system in this way, "In a parallel, non-competitive health insurance system, everyone pays into the universal public system also has the option of paying for private health insurance."

Why is there so much controversy hovering around this issue now? Is there an alarming trend that is occurring that is making our government nervous about the integrity and stability of our health care system? Or are people beginning to notice a subtle emerge of private health care into our system? There is evidence to suggest both hypotheses. To support the latter you have to look no further than Bill 11. The controversial bill was passed in May 2000 in the province of Alberta to set new standards for private clinics by allowing publicly funded minor surgeries to be contracted to them (Palmer, The Edmonton Sun, 2001). With a passing of a bill like this I can see why some people might suspect that a trend toward two-tier is beginning. Actually, since 1975, health care purchased privately has reached above 28 per cent from less than 24 per cent (Fennell 54).

Finally, there is growing concern among the people of this country about the stability and integrity of our health care system. This was clear in a 2000 MacLean's conducted poll, which revealed for the second year in a row that the issue of health care is the main concern of Canadians (Marshall, 2000, 48). An article in the British Medical Journal revealed that the percentage of Canadians satisfied with the health care system dropped from 56 per cent to 20 per cent between 1987 and 1997(Spurgeon, 2000, 1295).

Another countervailing argument that has been documented is the inability of a two-tier system to reduce waiting lists. As well, the question of whether there really is a waiting list problem in our country. Studies published between 1996 and 1998 reported no significant increase in waiting time for most surgical procedures (Spurgeon, 2000, 1295).

Some common words found in the essay are:
Canada Iglehart, Minister Health, Internet Election, Judith Kazimirski, Percival's Code, Health Act, Edmonton Sun, Ontario Sibbald, Medicare Marshall, Business Turner, health care, care system, health care system, waiting lists, two-tier system, medical association, two﷓tier health, private health, canadian medical association, canada health, act 1984, two﷓tier health care, health act, private health care, health act 1984,
Approximate Word count = 2261
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)