Dear Editor:
RE: Health care shortages create ‘dire’ situation: Anderson, Aug. 17.
No business operates and survives when beholden by suppliers without attention to cost and product quality, and when it pays top officials exorbitant amounts and spends other people’s money.
Hospitals do all this; no accountability to any singular person or entity like an employee with an owner who oversees spending; perhaps an ivory towered bureaucrat with no skin in the game.
The “endless” flow of funds is dwindling. As councillor Jean Anderson states, local funds may be required. Either way, it’s our money – federal/provincial/local.
On the flip side, those accessing the health care system do so with no direct cost. Genuine emergencies aside, massive abuse occurs as well as patients without providers. Our health care system doesn’t run as a business, but a “free for all.”
If we could go to the grocery store, fill our carts at no cost, how much waste and overspending would occur? That’s essentially how our health care system operates.
I’m not promoting a user-pay system, but I do wonder if the government gave every person $5,000 per year to use towards their basic care (emergencies covered) and keep any remainder, what would that do?
It wouldn’t be “out of pocket” but it would give a sense of responsibility and knowledge of cost.
Bonnie Hollinger,
Minto