by Kensel TracyI have decided to change the focus of my article this week from networking to comment on the recent changes proposed to the American health care system.
In Canada, our health care is a joint provincial and federal government responsibility. Our system, while not perfect in many ways, does not discriminate against anyone who is sick. I think this key point is the one that more Americans should consider in regards to the recent health care debate. Getting the government more involved in health care provides the security that most residents need to go about their daily business lives without the fear of getting sick. This in turn helps the country and business grow.
Sure, government health care means, in some cases, long lineups in emergency waiting rooms, waiting lists for major surgeries and sometimes confusion between provincial jurisdictions. It also means that sometimes hospitals are not run like business organizations as products could be purchased cheaper if there was more of a public sector or business mentality in the running of hospitals or health institutions.
However, I have yet to see a single bill for visits to my doctor in my lifetime. The key point is, in Canada, if someone gets sick, they will be taken care of. They have the option of getting medical care. And they will always have someone interested in helping them get better.
In the U.S., the horror stories of insurance companies cutting off medical benefits due to preconditions, or having thousands of members of society have no access to any medical care while unemployed is appalling. Health insurance companies have been operating like they have a monopoly, like they decide the future care of many residents who cannot afford their high charges. Crime, disease, unemployment, distress and disasters are all caused by people that are in need of health care.
I therefore applaud the Obama government and members of the House in passing the recent health bill. Not only will it help America become a healthier nation, it will for the first time allow many of our southern neighbors the opportunity to get the health care they so richly deserve. After all, without good health, the number one benefit of living in a democracy, everything else in regards to networking or business is just not possible.
Americans should not really be worried about government health care regulations as another way that government is infringing in their lives. They should be happy that for the first time millions of Americans can now get something as simple as proper health care and the respect they deserve as human beings.
Canada can be criticized for having a variety of social programs, some which are extremely costly and detrimental to business. This includes high taxes and additional costs to business for many of its programs. Health care however is a right of living, and this cost should be classified as an investment in the people and the growth of a country.
Thanks to our neighbors to the south for taking the first step in helping the residents of one of the best countries in the world develop more access to health care. This shows true leadership. I think this will pay off in providing big dividends in business and business growth for the future.
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Kensel Tracy is Senior Partner with the Corporate Coachworkz Inc. a marketing coaching company located in Chelsea, Quebec, and is also President of Business Over Breakfast Clubs of North America. If you have an interesting story on networking in Canada, he can be contacted at kenselt@bobclubs.com.
For more information, please visit Kensel's TNNW Bio.
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