Some doctors wary new CMA president will expand private delivery

Some doctors say they're worried that the new president of the Canadian Medical Association will extend private delivery of health care.

Incoming president Dr. Robert Ouellet, a radiologist by training, owns and operatesmedical imaging clinics in suburban Montreal.

Both Ouellet, 62,and outgoing president Dr. Brian Day, an orthopedic surgeon in Vancouver, have called for a greater role for the private sector in delivering health care.

In his inaugural speech to the CMA on Wednesday, Ouellet said he does not support the privatization of the Canadian health-care system, but said the private sector canhelp improve access to services that the overburdened public system can't handle.

"I'm talking about improving it, by allowing the private sector to intervene in a complementary way in areas where the public sector is unable to provide services," Ouellet said, citing his radiology clinics as an example.

The debate over private health care is taboo, but it can'tbe swept under the carpet indefinitely,Ouellettold delegates to the CMA's meeting in Montreal.

"We have one of the most costly and least efficient health systems of any industrialized country."

Canada rankslast in a list of 30 countries when comparing money spent with how well health care is delivered, Ouellet said. Other countries have incorporated private elements in their public health-care systems and Canada can, too, he added.

On Tuesday, the group voted to develop "a blueprint and timeline for transformational change in Canadian health care to bring about patient-focused care."

Ouellet was elected by CMA's general council, which includes representatives from each province and from groups ofmedical specialists.

Dr. Danielle Martin of the group Doctors for Medicare said she hopes Ouellet remembers he represents all doctors across Canada.

"The vast majority of doctors across Canada don't own a chain of private clinics," said Martin. "We work in the public system. We work withpatients, some of whom can and most of whom can't afford to pay for their own health care."

Before his final speech to the CMA, several hundred doctors watched a video of Day dressed as Darth Vader. It was a parody of when Day assumed the presidency a year ago and was called the Darth Vader of medicare for his pro-private views on health care.

"The private-public rhetoric is a relic of tedious and tiresome propaganda," Day told the meeting. "Those who relentlessly argue against and demonize the private sector need a reality check."

Some doctors attending the meeting said they would miss how Day brought problems with Canada's medical system to the forefront, by advocating for change, and bringing a patient-centred focus to the system.

Martin's group said Day softened his stance over the year.