Sparring over U.S-style health care

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This article was published 01/12/2016 (2701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MANITOBANS will be digging into their wallets to get better health care, the NDP says.

In question period Friday, health critic Matt Wiebe accused Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen Friday of being “hell-bent” on bringing two-tier, American-style health care to Manitoba.

Goertzen denied that, insisting he’s looking elsewhere for innovative ideas to eliminate the high costs and long waits for health care left, which he blamed on the former NDP government.

The two clashed over the possibility Goertzen may emulate Saskatchewan’s policy.

It allows private MRIs on the condition that private clinics perform a free MRI for a patient on the waiting list for every private MRI conducted.

Wiebe argued such a plan is illegal under the Canada Health Act and could affect federal transfer payments to Manitoba.

“This is the first step in their plan to create a two-tier health system, where the size of your wallet determines your care. Is he laying the legal groundwork for the introduction of private health care?” Wiebe asked.

Replied Goertzen: “And merry Christmas to the member as well.”

Goertzen said it was only a few weeks ago that Wiebe urged him to look to Quebec for health care ideas, and now Wiebe is demanding Goertzen stop looking elsewhere for innovation.

Goertzen told the house that during the election campaign, Wiebe was trying to frighten cancer patients by telling them a Tory government would take away their drugs.

Goertzen claimed that last summer Wiebe said the Zika virus was “running rampant throughout Manitoba,” a claim he had to withdraw.

“You shouldn’t take anything as fact when it’s coming from that member,” Goertzen said.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca