Editor:
I am a senior and a supporter of Protect Public Health Care, the organization recently formed to resist the highly controversial plans for long-term care on the Sunshine Coast, a scheme that was finally revealed to the public this past June. Move forward to this week when I received a highly gratifying email, the contents of which reflected the point of view of PPHC. Furthermore, it was signed by more than 50 of our Sunshine Coast doctors who are also very bothered, to say the least, about the plans of Coastal Health.
Thus, to them I say: thank you. Your participation in this ongoing campaign will further remind the provincial government that it must straighten up, pay attention, step back and take a second look at their privatization plans. Why? Because I am certain that the majority of local physicians, along with the rest of us, have the same vision and that is one which provides health care for everyone, without the restraints around status, race or income. In a public system, costs are shared by means of provincial and federal government financial arrangements. This is a blessing we do not wish to lose. In fact, we must hold on to it for dear life. There are those who would transform it from a service into a profitable industry listed on the stock market. We and our medical support system on the Sunshine Coast must refuse to allow the profit motive to erode any more of our precious health care programs.
Ruth Houle, Gibsons
