"NO!" to a two-tier health care system in New Brunswick

2007-06-21

FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick Government should stay away from any form of privatization in the health care services.

‘A recent survey commissioned by the Telegraph-Journal suggests support for privately run diagnostic services such as X- rays or MRI scans, privately run blood testing services – but at the same time, New Brunswickers are saying that they want the government to pay for it’, said Daniel Légère, president of CUPE NB.

‘There is some frustration out there concerning the waiting time for some services but that doesn’t mean New Brunswickers want a private service and they certainly don’t want to pay for health services.’

‘Health Minister Michael Murphy is saying that the centrepiece of his reform will be the core principles of the Canada Health Act and that medically necessary services remain free and universal. We believe the Minister should definitely close the door to privatization’, said Légère.

‘Private sector involvement in such an important sector is a recipe for disaster. If the privateers get their foot in the door, we are going to see a deterioration of the health care services.’

‘Privatization means an increase of cost and loss of control over the quality of the care. No matter what the Health Minister is saying, if the private sector gets access to services such as X-rays or MRI scans, this will create a two-tier system where the wealthier will get access to care faster.’

‘We agree with Premier Shawn Graham who wants to strengthen a publicly funded system, but we don’t think the private sector is the way to do it’, concluded Légère.

CUPE represents more than 6,500 health care workers in New Brunswick.