Group worried by two-tier health care

Public health care advocates concerned about privatization are holding a meeting at Finlandia Village Nursing Home Tuesday Nov. 21 from 7 to 9 pm.

The meeting is part of a 32 community national tour about the subject called Medicare Works: We Can't Afford Private Health Care.

“Medicare Works will mobilize Canadians to defend and strengthen our public health system,” said Michael McBane, co-ordinator of the Canadian Health Coalition. “We're urging Canadians to stand up and say 'Medicare Works – keep it public, keep it fair.'”

The group is worried about two-tiering of health care in Quebec and British Columbia, as well as the election this summer of Dr. Brian Day – owner of the country's largest for-profit hospital – as president of the Canadian Medical Association.

The Stephen Harper government is not enforcing the Canada Health Act and has held out Quebec's two-tier initiative as a model for the rest of the country to follow, the group says.

Gerry Lougheed Jr., who headed up Greater Sudbury's Heart & Soul campaign to raise money for the one-site hospital, and CAW Local 598 president Rick Grylls will speak at the meeting along with Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition.

For for information about the event, phone Anne-Marie McInnis at 698-7655.