Why should we, he says. I guess if everything is self-financing and self-funding and the country is in great shape, sure, let us offer freebies.
We continue to pay for health care premiums and I do not think people mind that because they know the service they get is absolutely terrific. Some provinces charge health care premiums, others do not. That is the way it is.
Some people have private insurance to supplement their basic coverage. That is the way it is. People who can afford to pay are perfectly entitled to do so. In my province, some can afford to get eye laser surgery at the Gimble clinic either in Calgary or the new one in Edmonton. Those people say: "I want to pay for it. I will step out of the queue of those waiting for laser surgery, perhaps at the University of Alberta Hospital, and I will get it done at the Gimble clinic. I will pay my $1,200 and I will free up a spot in a public institution for somebody who is waiting in the line". That is not reprehensible. That is the way it has been for a long time.
Somebody says: "Yes, it is reprehensible". What about people who live on welfare? Do we who have jobs say: "Isn't it dreadful about all of those on welfare". No, we are grateful to have a job and we will pay our taxes. We will make sure those who are needy in our society are able to collect welfare. Surely that is not reprehensible.
Would my friend over here quit her job right now as an MP and not pay taxes any more because she does not think her tax money should support welfare for the people who really need it?
Of course not. Well, she is thinking on that. Those of us who pay are blessed. We are able to pay our taxes and we want them to go to the more needy in our society. Why should we not do it with health care? It makes perfect sense to me.
The hon. member should not hog the line-up. She has her place in the queue. If she is in there and says that she gets health care because, or maybe she is demanding child care, who knows? She is making $60,000 a year. I would say let her pay her own babysitters. This is nothing different. If you are able to pay, pay and step aside for someone who may be a little more needy. Perhaps not so sanctimonious but maybe a little more needy.
We are under no illusion here. We have some serious problems with health care. Federal cash transfers in support of health care are projected to go down to zero in the next 10 to 15 years. This is from a government, a Liberal government. Medicare is having its 30th birthday. It is wheezing and gasping its last breath on its 30th birthday.
There are real problems. Funding? Sorry, the well has dried up. Under successive Liberal governments year after year we are deficit spent and we are really sorry but the well has run dry. The Liberals cannot go to the Canadian public and say: "Sorry that is just the way it is" yet pretend, give speeches, go on CBC and CTV News saying: "We have all the money we need for it". The minister said that today. I hope they show a clip of that on the national news tonight. There are a lot of people, a lot of taxpayers who know that is absolute fantasy.
It would make sense to prepare for that day. We know we have problems. Let us prepare for that day. Let us be ready for it rather than just saying: "Do not touch it, do not do anything to it". We are in bad shape financially and we need to make sure we move ahead and solve the problems instead of just complaining about them.
In my province of Alberta there have been huge cuts. I want to let the hon. members know that in 1970, 25 years ago, the whole budget for Alberta was $1 billion for everything, not just health care. In 1982, 12 years later, the entire budget was $12 billion. We had some boom years in our province. With the oil boom we went from a $1 billion budget to $12 billion in 12 years. That is a lot of money. Imagine what happened. Hospitals sprang up all over. We were spending two to three times per capita on each Albertan as many other provinces were doing. Many of these cutbacks may just be bringing us back to some of those levels.
Recently I underwent major surgery at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. My experience there-I can only talk for myself-is that for major surgery, for a hysterectomy, I waited my time in line. I did not want to go to the National Defence Centre and jump the queue. I said: "I will go. I pay my health care. I pay premiums in Alberta. So I will take my turn and just go in with the regular run of the mill people". I was asked: "Do you want a room of your own?. It is $40 a night". I thought: "That is cheaper than the Relax Inn so sure I will book in for it". Little did I know because I have never been sick and am grateful for that, my health care card, level three for which I pay the goose egg, absolutely nothing every month, covered my room. I was grateful for that.
The people in that hospital were professional. They were kind, looked after me and treated me really well. I am standing here, two months later, fully recovered and recuperated. Perhaps I am an example that the health system works. However, let us make sure that we do not let it get any sicker or in any worse shape than it is already.
Health care is worth it in this country. Regardless of the fact that members say there are no tiers in it, let us shed some tears for the system and make sure we make it right.