Television "debates" have no time for nuance. Still, I couldn't help wishing Ford Bell had gone further in his Almanac response to Erik Escola's characterization of single-payer healthcare as "Canadian-style, big waiting lists."
Bell noted that Canadians want to preserve their hockey and their healthcare.
I would have said:
Erik, single payer has nothing to do with waiting lists. You're confusing the realities of delivery in a big, sparsely populated country with the payment system.
If you think Canada has waiting lists, maybe you haven't tried to see an orthopedist lately. Or a psychiatrist. Or a dermatologist. Or a proctologist. And you have a good healthplan. Do your homework, and then let's talk about what needs to happen with healthcare in this country.
You can compare the senatorial candidates' statements on healthcare here:
