In response to the first question: Is the current system the most cost effective in the world? No, it is not. This is obvious. This is not a matter for debate. Study after study has indicated that the costs are out of control with respect to the Canadian system and therefore it cannot be the most cost effective.
The fact that more and more Canadians are seeking health care outside the Canadian system itself is evident that there is something wrong.
The government itself professes a great abhorrence of the American system. We do not agree with the American system. We are not advocating anything of the kind. However, because of the actions of the government, it is driving more and more Canadians to subsidize the American system to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars a year because they will not stay on the waiting lists here.
The hon. member is a physician himself. Has he ever sent a patient to get health care in the United States because they could not get it here or were on a great waiting list under our current system?