Romanow Commission - Key CHAC Messages
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The importance of values - As a nation we need to first get a sense of common values and goals, and a common understanding of the kind of society we are seeking to build and want to see reflected in the health system.
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A right to health care - Every person has a right to quality health care that is both accessible and equitable.
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Health care is an essential social good - Health care is a service to persons in need. It is not, and should not be treated as, a mere commodity exchanged for profit, to which access depends on an ability to pay.
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Expand public health care to include home care and pharmacare.
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Reject private, for-profit health care - it has been shown to be more expensive, inefficient and inequitable. The moment health care is rendered for profit, it risks being emptied of genuine caring.
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Medicare can work - Canada's single-payer health system has worked well in terms of providing access, economic efficiency, a compassionate system, and high quality care. Medicare faces many problems, however, these can be fixed while still preserving the public health insurance system.