"Paint Coatings"

THAI Rak Thai’s universal health insurance policy, a major campaign plank that contributed to the party’s landslide victory, could also trigger a backlash amid high public expectation and concerns about its administration.
While it is unclear whether the policy will result in the merging of the government’s entire health-insurance scheme, some critics have already voiced concern over such a possibility, saying the plan could become a logistical nightmare in terms of financial management. (more…)

Why should we wait for the medical lobby to give its nod to a proven model for health care in Ontario communities?

Let’s not kid ourselves. The Ontario Health Networks, including the “failed” pilot projects, have never been about primary health-care reform.
Usually, these primary-care projects are physician-led group practices that largely reflect a change in the way physicians are funded, rather than a change in how the public receives comprehensive health care, by whom and when. So, it is even more distressing that the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), as the negotiator for physicians within Family Health Networks, is dragging its feet on this baby-step reform. (more…)

WHERE DOES business stand on sustaining and strengthening Canada’s largely public and universal health-care system?
For William Blundell, chairman of Manulife Financial and from 1984 to 1991 chairman and chief executive officer of General Electric Canada, it’s a pretty good system that we should be proud of and should work to sustain.
Moreover, Blundell says: “Canada has the potential to create the best health-care system in the world.”
The mix between public and private spending on health care - about 72 per cent public and 28 per cent private when spending for dentists, optometrists, and prescription drugs is included - is “approximately right,” he says. (more…)

Something has long been missing from the charts showing where health-care spending comes from and where it goes: The fact that nearly all health-care spending starts from your pocketbook.
You’ve seen the usual breakdowns: Government pays for about 40% of all health care and private insurers pay for about 35%, leaving 25% that individuals pay directly.
But trace back the origin of the government and insurance dollars, and you find all the bucks start in your household.
Many experts agree that’s something to keep uppermost in mind as soaring costs and horror stories about health care denied further heat up the debate on health-care reform. (more…)