What do Canadians think about public and private health care?
The more Albertans and other Canadians learn about Alberta’s two-tier health care law, the more they oppose it. That’s one key finding of an Abacus Data poll, commissioned by the Canadian Health Coalition.
The poll released in August shows Canadians are concerned about the public health care system, but they do not support two-tier, U.S.-style health care as a solution.
Andrew Longhurst, senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, shared nine key takeaways of the poll at a webinar hosted by the Canadian Health Coalition’s Anne Lagacé Dowson on September 23.
Slide 5 shows Alberta’s Bill 11 or two-tier health care law is likely to be opposed nearly twice as much once the Bill is explained.
Longhurst noted that the poll shows:
- Canadians and Albertans believe strongly in evidence-based public solutions to health care wait times and the principle of universal access
- Canadians everywhere do not want US-style health care
- Canadians are very concerned about health care becoming another household expense
- The Alberta government is pushing a policy direction that is not aligned with the research evidence nor does it have support in Alberta and across Canada
To learn more about how to join the fight against two-tier, U.S.-style health care, visit the Canadian Health Coalition’s page of information and ways to take action.
