Letters, May 30

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/05/2023 (1208 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a wash

Re: Tory campaign co-chair Bergen bemoans ‘brainwashed’ youth (May 25)

Regarding the comments by Candice Bergen that schools and universities brainwash students, would she explain what brainwashing she experienced or at least witnessed while attending university? And what faculty she was enrolled in?

It would provide great amounts of insight for young people (and their parents) as they pursue post-secondary studies.

Walt Roberts

Winnipeg

A matter of Pride

It is great to see that there is now a Pride flag flying near the legislature and that Premier Heather Stefanson will walk in this year’s Pride parade. At a time when the LGBTTQ+ community is under attack in many places around the world (including Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg), these steps are much needed.

Given that many of these attacks have come in the form of anti-LGBTTQ+ legislation worldwide, it is vital that those in legislative power in Manitoba send a clear message that homophobia and transphobia have no place in our laws. For that reason, it is imperative that Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen be asked whether he will also be marching in this year’s Pride Parade. In the past, Goertzen has refused to take part in Pride events, claiming they were all about shaming.

Pride parades are not about shaming. They are about clearly stating the human rights of a community that has been oppressed for far too long and whose very existence continues to be challenged.

As Manitoba’s top legislative justice official, will Justice Minister Goertzen clearly show he’s on the side of human rights, empathy, and inclusion by marching in the Pride Parade?

Robbie Scott

Winnipeg

Second opinions on two tiers

In response to Dr. David Brodovsky’s letter (“Not much changes in health system,” May 27), there are a number of issues that must be pointed out.

In advocating for two-tier medicine, there are many assumptions that have turned out to be, in practice, incorrect.

It is tempting to believe that by adding a second private-payer stream, that patients in that stream will “move out of the line” of the public system and the public line will become shorter. However, the number of providers is limited. When providers move to the private system, there are fewer providers in the public system, and the principle of “supply and demand” cannot magically create providers.

Australia (and a number of other nations) used to have a single-payer system. When this kind of change was made, outcomes did improve, but only for those in the private tier. Patients in the public tier, in fact, had longer waits and worse outcomes.

As for the statement that countries with two-tier medicine that have better outcomes at a lower cost than Canada, this is correct; however, a number of important details are not addressed by this metric. Most of these countries (particularly in Europe) have a much more robust social safety net. Social assistance programs, universal daycare, and lower income inequality all lower poverty rates, which is in turn is proven to improve health and save money for the health-care system.

In 20 years of practising emergency medicine, I have seen first-hand the deleterious effects of societal deficiencies, particularly poverty, on my patients and the care that they require. Two-tier medicine will not fix this.

I agree with Dr. Brodovsky’s view that Canada can and must do better in regards to our health care. (I also agree with him that the American model is not the answer.) However, we cannot open the door to two-tier medicine until a number of societal issues are properly addressed.

Dr. Douglas Eyolfson FRCP(C)-EM

Winnipeg

In his letter, Dr. David Brodovski is, for the most part, right on the mark. However, I would modify this to say, nothing has changed since 1972.

He and I, and other octogenarians in medical practice, can remember the golden years of universal government health insurance (Medicare) from 1958 to 1972. Those were the days when hospitals operated on a fee-for-service basis. There was a fee schedule that had to be adhered to. Better treatment meant more income.

Every hospital tried to attract the best doctors, the best nurses, and the best overall standards of care. There were no wait lists. Everyone was insured, no one was left out, and the standard of care rivalled the Mayo Clinic in the U.S.

What changed was, in 1972, hospitals were no longer able to charge the health-care system for their public services. They were placed on a strict global budget, controlled by the government. Overnight, patients were no longer viewed as a source of income.

Incentives to produce better care disappeared. In fact, more sick patients would pose a crippling cost to the hospital. There was a 180-degree shift in the way patients were regarded and respected.

I ran as a unsuccessful Progressive Conservative provincial candidate in Rossmere in 1977 against Ed Schreyer. A pledge to return to a universal government health insurance system was my only message. Schreyer defeated me by about 760 votes. Although the PCs won the general election that year, their vision for health care in Manitoba was no different, or any better, than the NDP system was.

What is needed is a return to a government sponsored universal fee-for-service system.

Henry P. Krahn, M.D., F.R.C.S.

Winnipeg

Lest we forget

The May 27 article “Long-forgotten ‘Winnipegs’ get their due” on the Winnipeg Rifles was a unique and worthwhile jolt detailing the initial enthusiasm and later misery that followed in the “war to end all wars.”

Ian Stewart vividly detailed telling specifics ranging from the 17- to 18-year-old recruits, the parade as they embarked towards misery and death in the trenches and later sent letters home about a brother who was killed. History is the story of people, and the Free Press has told this story well.

Our history was continued on the next page with “Then and Now” as well as “One Great History” by Sabrina Janke and Alex Judge, which shone a light on the divisive behaviour of our first mayor, Francis Cornish.

Two of these three stories were troublesome to read. One illustrated the tragedy of millions and the other local racism and violence. Nevertheless, we value such articles, as they contribute to our knowledge and are reminders of “how we got to here.”

Spanish philosopher George Santayana is credited with the aphorism, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As we approach Winnipeg’s 150 celebrations in 2024, hopefully we can continue learning about the past, yet act for an inclusive future.

Dan Furlan

President, Manitoba Historical Society

Winnipeg

Polar energy

Re: Sea Bears make dazzling debut (May 27)

I was one of the 7,000-plus fans to attend the the return of basketball to the windy city after a 22-year hiatus — from the Thunder in the old Winnipeg Arena to a sea of enthusiastic Sea Bear fans.

You could feel the pulsating excitement in the Canada Life Centre. It was so inspiring to look around and see all the all the smiling faces of both young and old. Not only was it great family entertainment but Winnipeg and Manitoba once again showed all Canada how much we love our sports. A “pawfect” night for basketball and a historical one as well.

Later in the game it was announced that the Sea Bears’ fans had set an all-time record for CEBL attendance.

Thank you, David Asper and team, for bringing back basketball to Winnipeg. I wish you continued success in the future.

Patrick Bend

Winnipeg