Canadian government health-care system now fractured, in distress and broken.  If one are wondering why those words the first sentence in this paragraph, do not be mad at me since this is what the Canadian Medical Association call their system in a report.

The report known as ‘The Voices Into Action’, released on Wednesday, it was a result of data gathered from over 1,500 Canadians, attending the town hall sessions in Halifax, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, La Prairie, Que., and Ottawa, and around 4,000 people who make comments online.

According to the document, Canadians recognized long wait times, highly recommended drug costs, failure in accessing medical services, and the necessity for long-term care and home-based care as a main concerns.

The vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, aboriginal peoples, rural residents and those with mental problems got failed by a “once proud” system that is currently under distress.

The report also includes the need of Canadians to have a transparent and accountable health care, but felt that they are not going to get the help needed from the system.

Dr. Jeff Turnbull, CMA president and Ottawa Hospital chief of staff got amazed by the strong care shown for a publicly financed  health-care system.

However, he included that it was difficult for him to be hearing some of the stories that come out of the public consultations, involving those details that pertains to cancelled surgeries and people, who cannot pay for the treatment.

Turnbull said that this is the fact that we have to worry. It is particularly useful to them to be able to change the medical system.

Turnbull added that there is a possibility that the system can be change, but it needed courage, leadership, working with partnerships, getting everyone engaged, and overcoming lack of interest.

One of the participants says that the health care is a “Humpty Dumpty medicine.”

However, other participants stated that there is a need to provide care to the elderly and others with chronic, long-term diseases.

As Canada has a rapidly aging population, there is a need to act quickly with regards to the matter.

Many claims, that there is a need to expand the Canada Health Act, as it only covers the doctor and hospital care.  People suggested that it should also include home care, long-term care, dental care, eye care, alternative medicine, hospice care and a national prescription drug plan.

First vice-president of the United Nurses of Alberta, Bev Dick says that people want a long-term care bed.