ON CREEPING PRIVATIZATION

Kudos to Josh Lewis of the Eastern Graphic for warning Islanders of the looming threat of privatization in health care (Privatization is a non-starter, Feb. 21, Eastern Graphic). He began with the reminder, “For 60 years Canada has prided itself on universal health care as one of the most beloved parts of our national identity. Now, in the midst of a widespread crisis, there are signs of creeping privatization in P.E.I. and elsewhere.”

This introduction caused me to wonder if, indeed, this is a direction that was planned decades ago?

Josh's short article was comprehensive and explicit in listing the three concerns already in place on P.E.I. (Medicalux, Maple and Skip the Waiting Room) and these, along with Medavie and the grossly extra cost involved in the hiring of travel nurses, should provide us with targets for specific complaints to government. Already, it seems that Kings County has responsibly spoken up against the hiring of a fee-for-service nurse practitioner at Physio East.

Despite these resources being initiated to compensate for our inadequate medical assistance, we do need to be vigilant and aware of the direction in which we may be heading. Privatization may be attractive for governments, a cop-out, no need for the expense and effort involved in maintaining our universal health care.

As Josh so clearly and effectively wrote, “The question must be asked: is privatization the end game for Premier Dennis King? Why does he insist on meddling in health care instead of giving Health P.E.I. full autonomy? He has no expertise or training in the field ... Perhaps the only way to explain this is a desire to see the public system crumble, followed by privatization. Why else would Health P.E.I. ignore applications from so many interested nurses and other professionals? Public health care can be saved. Don't follow Doug Ford's path. P.E.I. can blaze its own.” Thank you, Josh Lewis.

Carol Lang,

Charlottetown, P.E.I.