Health Care Symposium in Kelowna, Western Economic Development Summit, in Vernon – will the community benefit? Will the community benefit from these events, or will the events bolster the positive and mask the problems. The positive is, the members of our society that make up the BC and Canadian economy, are members of a democratic governed mixed monetary economic system. We all agree that we are privileged, if not, then those with experience from an autocratic system, such as the former Soviet Union, will. Systems that fail to secure economic production, justice and fair distribution of wealth in the community and subsequently social satisfaction and quality of life, will inevitably result in political instability and failure. Not to forget, of

Of recent interest, Dr. Tarr, MD of Osoyoos BC has taken the initiative with a group of other physicians to ensure that the society that makes up the economy of the Southern Okanagan will have timely access to medical care. This is highly commendable of Dr. Tarr, but it is justified also to ask whether it is merely a band aid that is being applied that may staunch the bleeding, or is it a model that improves public health and reduces excess consumption of healthcare. (This issue is discussed in my submission to the Romanow Commission in 2002 and in numerous prior and subsequent papers and a driving force in the Canadian Swedish IISRE Research Initiative.) Consider that healthcare systems

In reflection on Dr. Walter Henze’s humoristic shoe store analogy in his guest editorial about funding of the needed upgrade of the North Valley Hospital in Tonasket WA, I trust the community appreciates Dr. Walter Henze’s writing, because democracy depends on understanding, produced by research, a free flow of information, a free press, and a vigorous discussion in the community. This is of course why constitutional laws in the US and other democratic mixed economies guarantee freedom of expression, of assembly, of religion, and most importantly, the freedom of the press. Dr. Henze and Editor Gary DeVon of the Gazette-Tribune, have a responsibility to their profession and to their businesses, but the guest editorial prove, that their overriding responsibility is

Lack of prudent analysis and planning is the underlying disease in our Healthcare System – not Nurses’ job disruption. The CEO for Okanagan Health Region in British Columbia has been venting his disappointment and frustration in the press and in public meetings over the BC Nurses’ job action in their pursuit of higher wages and benefits. Nobody would question the CEO’s sincere concern for the consequences that the Nurses’ action has on the patient’s and the public’s well-being. It is also reasonable to believe that the majority of our Nurses share the CEO’s concerns, and many are also concerned about stretching society’s sympathies too far. The real problem is that the strategic issues facing the Healthcare system – although they

Which way should I take from here ? That depends on where you want to get to. I don’t care where. Then it doesn’t matter which way you walk. -Alice in Wonderland. Regional Health Care: P&A Discussion Letter for OISD – an approach to solution. – October 1994 Submitted to the BC Minister of Health and members of the Okanagan health administration Copyright 1994, all right reserved by P&A Management. No part of this paper or publication may be reproduced or in any other form stored in a data base or retrieval system or used in any form without prior written permission of P&A Management. A P&A Discussion Letter… P&A Management addresses the strategic issues facing private and government organizations

The Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada – a critical test of what kind of society Canada wants to become, with. special concern for British Columbia. Heralded under the banner of ‘worthy causes’ the forming of ‘politically visible’ commissions or committees is an old political method of avoiding controversial decisions and accountability. Members of the community volunteer time and effort to advise paid politicians, bureaucrats and consultants on what they should already have known and should have done many years ago. It is a good way to ensure that nobody is accountable. Will the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada be any different? Will the community embrace the commission, and will that allow everyone