Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : ahhaha's ahs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: GraceZ who wrote (3728)	11/30/2001 6:03:16 PM
From: JayPC	Respond to of 24758

Does Canada have laws against for profit medical services? Yes. Alberta has slowly been introducing private care for minor services, much to the socialists dismay. The catch phrase they use to scare people is "Two Tier Health Care". The Provinces are responsible for Health Care, but the Federal Government uses its large transfer payments to the provinces to try and regulate it. Ottawa has threatened on many occasions to with hold billions of dollars (collected from Alberta tax payers) if they don't conform to the Health ACT. Sounds like there's room for one up there. Private clinics are popping up in the urban centers, no one doing major surgery. Are people forced to buy into the national health system, are they able to opt out? Yes and Yes. I pay health care premiums on a monthly basis ($34). Yes I could opt not to pay them and have no health coverage. Whether I pay the premiums or not, I am forced into the health care system when I pay my taxes. In 2003 Health Care for Alberta will be 31% of the entire budget. I've seen projections by 2010 of over 55%. One day, Canada will have private hospitals, it's only a matter of time. Alberta will probably be the first. Regards, Jay

To: GraceZ who wrote (3728)	12/1/2001 1:13:19 PM
From: JayPC	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24758

canada.com{DEB50FC4-0165-4039-AF2D-3264EDF44622} Saturday, December 01, 2001 Private clinic to offer overnight surgery For-profit venture first in province A Calgary company was preparing its application to open a for-profit overnight surgery clinic, mere hours after the ink was dry on the paper removing the final regulatory barrier on Friday. For the first time, the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons will allow "non-hospital surgical facilities" to keep patients overnight and perform hip replacements, operate on knees, perform major shoulder surgery and fuse or repair ruptured discs. There is a proviso that the procedures are uncomplicated -- a determination made by the surgeon. Federal Health Minister Allan Rock has repeatedly said the federal government is against these types of facilities. However, Dr. Stephen Miller, medical director for Health Resources Group, which has fought to open such a facility since 1997, is undeterred. "We are intending to proceed with our application immediately. It will definitely be in before Christmas." The Calgary-based Health Resources Group, which has more than 100 investors, runs a 37-bed facility based in the former Salvation Army Grace Hospital, which already performs private day surgeries. Dr. Don Chadsey, acting registrar for the college, said the organization is reacting to provincial government legislation -- known as Bill 11 or The Health Protection Act, which allows health authorities to contract services to private facilities. Alberta's pledge to move quickly on health reforms has been a source of friction between the province and Ottawa. A report commissioned by Premier Ralph Klein is expected to further expand the powers of Bill 11. "There was legislation passed some months ago that provided for this possibility; we are just responding to that and acting accordingly," said Chadsey. "One of our requirements was that these facilities needed to be safe and that is exactly what we passed -- safe regulations." He stressed that no one has applied to the college to open such a facility. "Are we going to see such a clinic this weekend? No. Are we going to see them next year? Maybe," said Chadsey. These facilities are not hospitals, he stressed, pointing out they will not have an intensive care unit or emergency room. Meanwhile, once an application is received by the college, it will be inspecting the facility and reviewing the applicant's plans -- a process that would take a few weeks at most. The college can grant a facility approval without reconvening its council. Alberta Health and Wellness must also provide approval. "Does it save money? Does it free up space in public hospitals? There are a number of different criteria that we also look at separate and apart from the medical issues," said Alberta Health Minister Gary Mar, who was in Calgary Friday. Critics, however, believe it's a foregone conclusion that these facilities will not meet any government opposition. "Mar will have no will or opposition to turn down an application," said New Democrat Leader Raj Pannu, noting the minister was one of the driving forces behind Bill 11. Liberal health critic Kevin Taft added he expects to see these private facilities operating early in the new year. "I assume that behind closed doors a lot of these negotiations are already going on. Profit-driven medicine has arrived in Alberta big time." His biggest fear is they will create longer wait times in public hospitals as the doctors will want to go where the money is. "Let's keep this in context of all 34 contracts the government has let out under the Health Protection Act total $10 million out of a $6.4-billion budget," countered Mar. "We are not talking about a large number of doctor resources that are going to be shifted over to private surgical facilities." Roman Cooney, communications vice-president for the Calgary Health Region, added that there hasn't even been any consideration given to using these types of facilities in the region's five-year business plan. "It's not something we are adverse to looking into. We first have to consult with physicians and determine if it has board support." © Copyright 2001 Calgary Herald