Healthcare Quarterly
Abstract
Many Canadians Losing Confidence In Governments' Healthcare Performance
The public's perception of the federal government's performance on healthcare is not good. Only 35% of Canadians think the federal government is doing a good to excellent job with ensuring delivery of quality healthcare. In 1994, 62% of Canadians thought the government was doing a good to excellent job with healthcare. Also, the number of people who think the government is doing a poor job has increased to 20%.
Provincial governments are thought of even less well in the area of healthcare delivery. Thirty-one percent of Canadians think their provincial government is doing a good to excellent job of delivering healthcare. In 1994, 51% thought that way. Also 28% think that their provincial government is doing a poor job with healthcare.
When asked about the future, 11% of Canadians said they were very confident that their province will be able to provide good quality healthcare to them and their families five years from now. Forty-six percent of those polled indicated that they are somewhat confident in their province's ability to maintain good quality care; while 14% said they are not at all confident.
Where Should the Money Come From?
When asked how healthcare should be paid for, a full 41% of Canadians feel the current level of taxes for healthcare should be maintained. The second most popular measure (35% of respondents) was extra billing for those who "over use" health services. However, of those who initially said they supported extra billing, two thirds changed their vote to support for the current system when they realized how much their health insurance premiums would increase.Opinions on the Two-Tier Health System
In an interesting turn, 5% of Canadians said they would strongly or somewhat approve of a system where people could pay to move to the head of the line for health services. Only three years ago, 18% of respondents approved of the concept. As well, the number of people who "strongly disapprove" has increased from 45% to 68% since 1996.Acknowledgment
Data supplied by The Berger Monitor Highlight Report, and based on results from the October 1999 survey administered by Environics Research Group among 2,526 Canadians 15 years of age and older.Topics in The Berger Monitor, which continues The Canada Health Monitor surveys of health issues in Canada, are prepared in consultation with The Hay Health Care Consulting Group. For more information contact: Earl Berger, Managing Director by telephone at 416 815-6405 or email at Earl_Berger@haygroup.com
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