Senate studying role of robotics in health care
Robotics have a growing and essential role in the health-care systems in Canada and a Senate study into the issue is hoping to shed light on where the technology can best help Canadians. The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology is studying into the role of robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence […]
Plain-packaging bill will boost contraband market, says tobacco rep
The plan to introduce plain packaging on cigarettes is upsetting those in the tobacco industry, but no-smoking advocates say this has to be just one step in a broader plan. Currently, cigarettes sold in Canada must have a package is 75 per cent covered with a health warning, have a health information message inside the […]
Liberal MPs push for pharmacare, while Health minister says drug costs must first be controlled
Liberal MP John Oliver hopes that one of the goals behind his decision to enter politics—establishing a national pharmacare program—will become reality before the next federal election. Mr. Oliver, who previously served as assistant deputy minister in the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and as president and CEO of Halton Healthcare Services, which […]
Doctors call for public health campaign to dispel mistruths about pot
Before legalizing marijuana, the Trudeau government needs to launch an aggressive public education campaign to combat popular mistruths and make significant investments to improve the admittedly sparse slate of existing research, physicians say. Dr. Granger Avery, president of the Canadian Medical Association, which represents domestic doctors, said persisting misinformation about the risks of smoking pot […]
Philpott promises more details forthcoming on efforts to lower drug costs and marijuana education campaign
Approaching nearly two years in office, the federal Liberal government’s grand plan for the Canadian health-care system is beginning to take root. After hitting a wall in efforts to negotiate a pan-Canadian Health Accord, the Liberals opted instead to reach separate 10-year deals with the individual provinces and territories, inking pacts with every jurisdiction except for […]
Health: 05-08-2017
Palliative care framework: the right bill at the right time
The need for palliative care has been a topic of discussion for years. However, with 70 per cent of Canadians having no access to any type of palliative care, action has been slow. Last year, with the implementation of medical assisted dying legislation, the special committee that studied the Carter v. Canada decision stated that […]
Ottawa must provide more money for greying provinces and territories, says doctors’ advocate
Canadian physicians are calling on Ottawa to cough up more cash for provinces and territories with large populations of seniors to help ease the increased strain on health-care services. The Canadian Medical Association, which represents Canada’s doctors, wants the federal government to provide a “demographic top-up” to greying jurisdictions, as concerns mount about a sharp disparity […]
The pre-existing dysfunction of American health care
For Canadians who thought debates over the byzantine and uniquely inefficient American health-care system ended on March 23, 2010 when then-president Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, the weeks since Donald Trump was inaugurated have been an eye opener. After years of symbolic votes to “repeal and replace” Obamacare, the Republicans who […]
Liberals need a seniors minister
If the federal cabinet table is any indication of how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau views seniors, Canadians have good reason to be concerned. We are at a crossroads in our nation’s history for senior care. For the first time, the number of seniors in Canada exceeds the number of youth. Right now, one in six […]
