Cambie or not Cambie – that is the question

The recent injunction by the Cambie Surgery Corporation has brought its court case to new light, and has renewed the debate over how to fund our healthcare system.

On one hand, I have heard from those who feel that only a fully publicly-funded system can provide universal access and uphold Canadian values such as fairness. They point to the high quality of care in Canada and the poor performance of the American system as evidence. They advocate for expanded services and are concerned that a larger private health care sector will increase wait times and care complexity in the public system.

I have also heard from those who feel that our current system is not providing adequate access for the resources given to it. They point to higher performing countries that share our democratic and socialist values and use hybrid public-private models. Proponents of this model cite potential benefits such as patient choice, free market innovation, and cost-savings for the public system.

So what’s a doctor to believe? Having heard these opinions, here is what I have taken away from the debate:

1. We are passionate about health and the system we work in. Very, very passionate.
2. There is no one perfect healthcare system. It isn’t certain what would happen if we adopted other models, just as it is uncertain what will happen if we keep our current system (or, at least, keep it without supporting needed innovation from within).
3. We need to create space for respectful discussion. While social media platforms can connect people of different experiences and backgrounds, 280 characters can quickly devolve into name calling, strawman arguments, misquotes, and virtue signaling.
4. For all of the impassioned debate, proponents of each model agree on the final outcome: a system where everyone can access the care they need, when they need it.

No matter the decision, we need to be prepared as a profession and respect the legal process. So despite our ideological differences, let us continue advocating for a system that works for people, communities, governments and healthcare professionals alike. At the end of the day, it’s about doing what is right and doing it the right way— and that is something I hope we can all agree on.

- Dr Eric Cadesky