Health care’s taking a backseat in this election. That’s a missed opportunity, expert says

Public healthcare in Canada is facing a crisis that has been exacerbated in the years following the pandemic. Despite the urgency of the situation, the issue has not taken center stage in the current federal election. Colleen Flood, an expert on health law and policy as well as the dean of law at Queen’s University, believes that this is a missed opportunity for voters to demand better healthcare for all Canadians.

According to Flood, the Canada Health Act sets out criteria for healthcare, including reasonable access to services such as family doctors, tests, specialists, and hospitals. However, the reality is far from ideal, with an estimated 6.5 million Canadians lacking access to a family doctor and long wait times for specialist care. Many Canadians are resorting to paying out of pocket for healthcare services that should be covered under the public system.

Flood suggests that the Canada Health Act needs to be updated to better define and enforce reasonable access to healthcare. She believes that the federal government should require provinces to have a fair and transparent process for determining access to care, including maximum wait times and coverage. This process should be regularly reviewed and updated to meet the changing needs of Canadians.

In the midst of a federal election, Flood urges voters to demand action from political parties on improving public healthcare. She emphasizes the need for a serious plan to address the healthcare crisis and ensure that all Canadians have access to the care they need. The parties should outline their specific plans for healthcare reform, whether it involves more private for-profit care, a mix of public and private options, or a move towards a National Health Service-style system.

As voters consider their options in the upcoming election, Flood encourages them to prioritize healthcare as a key issue. It is unacceptable that millions of Canadians are struggling to access basic healthcare services, leading to long wait times and unnecessary visits to emergency rooms. The parties must take the healthcare crisis seriously and present concrete plans to improve access to care for all Canadians.