On Sunday evening, NewsBusters colleague Noel Sheppard highlighted a health care-related story from the Canadian Press (CP), which is that country's rough equivalent to the USA's Associated Press.
It appears that the CP is more open to reporting inconvenient news than is "our" AP, judging from a report earlier that day by the CP's Jennifer Graham. In an interview with Graham, the incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association said that the supposedly idyllic wonderland known as Canadian medical care is in deep trouble. Lo and behold, Graham actually reported it:
The incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association says this country's health-care system is sick and doctors need to develop a plan to cure it.
Dr. Anne Doig says patients are getting less than optimal care and she adds that physicians from across the country - who will gather in Saskatoon on Sunday for their annual meeting - recognize that changes must be made.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓"We all agree that the system is imploding, we all agree that things are more precarious than perhaps Canadians realize," Doing (sic) said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Given the current debate in the U.S. over health care and private insurance, and the president's seeming determination to force a state-controlled and ultimately state-run health care regime onto the remaining portion of the system that is still privately run, you would think that the story out of Canada might have attracted the interest of U.S. establishment media outlets. Noel thought that "It's going to be absolutely delicious to see how this gets reported by Obama-loving media in the next 24 hours."
Four days later, deliciously proving that "the Obama-loving media" is more than a mere slogan, there has virtually no original source establishment media coverage of what Ms. Doig said, or of anything else relayed in the Graham's CP report.
The incoming CMA director's last name made searching for results pretty easy. What I found in a search on "Doig" at the following media sites was the following:
- The New York Times -- nothing.
- The Washington Post -- zip.
- The Los Angeles Times -- nothing relevant.
- The AP, whose search scope is seven days -- nada.
A Google News search on "Anne Doig" for August 16-20 came back with a whopping 41 relevant items. Only about 20 of those were from sources within the U.S. The majority of those results were op-ed columns by Mona Charen, Larry Elder, and others, plus think-tank contributions from Heritage and the National Center for Policy Analysis. Original news reports appear to have been limited to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (a four-sentence snippet), the Washington Times (in an editorial), and NewsMax (in the final paragraphs of a related article about health care rationing in the Canadian province of British Columbia).
As Noel also pointed out on Sunday, both the outgoing and incoming CMA presidents are advocates of expanding private medical services up north. While our president and the congressional majority are attempting to move health care decisively in a statist direction, the establishment media has apparently decided that news consumers couldn't possibly benefit from learning that there is significant sentiment in Canada's medical community for going the opposite way.
I mean, really, how silly of a thought is that? (/sarcasm)
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
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the system is imploding?!
August 21, 2009 - 00:12 ET by candanceQuick, someone run up to Canada and spend 3 billion dollars on used cars!
.....what do you mean it won't work? You're being a negative obstructionist. Doing anything is better than doing nothing.
In that case I move to have
August 21, 2009 - 00:17 ET by lsudolemiteIn that case I move to have the CMA labeled a terrorist organization, since, according to our Dear Leader, their presidents are clearly neglecting their moral and ethical obligations to their fellow man.
Oh I just remembered, DHS now says we have no terrorists anymore. Never mind.
??
August 21, 2009 - 19:52 ET by GeronLHe is no longer "Dear Leader" he is now the Holy Amnerican Emperor Barackulus, Partner of God himself
A refuge
August 21, 2009 - 00:36 ET by petitjeanpetitjean
I don't tolerate northern climates well since I am a Southerner. I worked for about a year in Montreal many years ago and rather liked it except for the attitude about my accent. It seems my French was "too continental" for Canadian taste at least among Francophones.
Climate aside, if the rest of the Canadian economy shifts toward capitalism and they privatize medicine, I might spend my later years in Canada. I can have my pension checks sent north and as I am bilingual and already have a Canadian Social security card and decent finances, may have few problems taking out citizenship. I never thought I would consider a move to Canada but it seems that Chile, Singapore or Canada are my best options for escaping this train wreck.
My my ...
August 21, 2009 - 00:59 ET by legacyrepublicandoes that mean you will be, instead of a draft dodger, a health care dodger? ;) Starting by burning your national health card too?
The more things change, the more they remain the same as Paul Harvey used to say. Gosh I miss him right now.
Spend your later years in
August 21, 2009 - 10:14 ET by mandrakeSpend your later years in Canada? Have you ever exprienced a Canadian winter? I was house bound for 9 strait weeks last winter due to snow..go south my friend!!
Heh
August 21, 2009 - 15:00 ET by Kelly72Canada is a big country. It depends on where you go. I lived there for a year and I didn't even need to use my snow boots all winter. ^^ I heard that last year was a tough year in some areas though.
Thankfully, with each passing day, it matters less and less what
August 21, 2009 - 03:01 ET by Rush Fanthe leftist media reports or doesn't report. It's not just the printed media that is dying. The viewership of news programs on liberal/democrat television networks CBS, NBC and ABC, as well as cable networks CNN and MSNBC is continuing to decrease. Thanks to Talk Radio, and websites such as NewsBusters, the agenda-driven news in the liberal media has been exposed.
Instead, more of us are obtaining our information from FoxNews, and web sites available to us throughout the world. Today, we don't have to wait for or rely on Cronkite-type newsreaders to provide filtered and bias information. Good news sources are available to us 24 hours/day.
The proof of this rebirth in reliable news sources is in the Townhall meetings taking place all over this country. Listen to those who are asking the questions. From the young to the elderly, they are more informed regarding the various proposed healthcare bills in Congress than the elected officials who supposedly represent them.
We are informed, we are angry, and we are not going to take it any more!
Because our Communists are
August 21, 2009 - 04:25 ET by RR GOPBecause our Communists are better than Canadian Communists...that's why the MSM isn't concerned.
C'mon people, where's your American pride?
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Bush tried for EIGHT YEARS to reform health care but DEMOCRATS
August 21, 2009 - 06:14 ET by Jayke... didn't want to reform it they want to CONTROL it. Go back and read each one of President Bush's State of the Union Addresses. Prepare yourself for a shock. All of a sudden it's a huge emergency to pass this monstrous bill. Give me a break!
Gee
August 21, 2009 - 06:14 ET by 10ksnookerI wonder why the state run media is losing all their veiwers and readers?
The US statists, like the world's communists before, think if they don't report it didn't happen. Might work if they can find a way to get rid of the Internet and talk radio. Censorship is failing even in the totalitarian state of red China.
It's funny to watch Obama flail around like he still thinks the state run media can control his lies.
One definition of stupidity:
August 21, 2009 - 06:41 ET by Red JeepDon't report stories of interest, censor political stories, that would sell newspapers, get viewers/listeners, then wonder why you are going broke.
The reason the Canadian
August 21, 2009 - 06:34 ET by motherbeltThe reason the Canadian system is collapsing is that they don't have the "right" people running it!
When we have our system here, run by The First One and his marvelous cohort, everything will be both peachy and keen!!
Magical Thinking 101...
There will be no refusals. There will be no waiting times. Doctors will see you immediately! Because there will be no shortage of doctors! There will be hordes of youth flocking to medical schools to enter into the "helping profession" of medicine, willing to accept whatever pittance the government will dole out for their services, willing to subsist on what the government considers a "decent" living...
Why? Because the "right" people with the "right" intentions will be running it!!
Fox had her on yesterday
August 21, 2009 - 06:54 ET by BKeyserI heard most of her interview on the radio and to be fair, she didn't say that Canada needs to implement the current US healthcare system to correct the problem. Rather, she said that the US and Canada should stop comparing themselves to each other and instead, look to other examples from developed nations who's healthcare system is better off. As I said, I didn't hear the whole interview, but interestingly, I specifically didn't hear her mention what other nations she believes has better healthcare.
the US and Canada should
August 21, 2009 - 07:10 ET by ThisnThatthe US and Canada should ... look to examples from developed nations who's healthcare system is better off.
And which countries do world leaders and other ordinary citizens go to when they absolutely, positively have to have the best care in the world? I've heard that they always go to the U.S. But I could be wrong, here. Perhaps someone could provide a list of the top 20? And not the ones that that the press and politicians have chosen (like Cuba). I want to see the countries that attact actual patients. Perhaps like the U.S.? And who else .....?
___________________________________
"Tax the rich" is a basically unstable way of governing - The NYT
~TnT
August 21, 2009 - 07:13 ET by BKeyserExactly.
But remember, now that Cuba has been able to open up for incoming travel, I'm sure they'll begin a steady climb up that ladder. /s
Some examples
August 21, 2009 - 07:47 ET by UnsaneHere are two examples I am aware of:
An MP from Ontario, Belinda Stronach (and first rate political opportunist), was told flat out by her doctors to go to the United States for treatment for breast cancer when she was diagnosed with the dread illness. Why, if Canadian babying is SO GREAT, why on earth wasn't she told to stay at home for treatment? It didn't hurt that she runs (or has run) a major manufacturer of automotive parts.
My favorite, by far, though, is the case of PM Silvio Berlusconi from Italy. He traveled to Cleveland for heart surgery; a bypass operation, IIRC. If Italy, or any other European country, has such a great medical system, why did he bother going to the United States? Surely that was more distant for him, no?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Not Doubting You
August 21, 2009 - 07:58 ET by dvdaughtryBut, do you have links handy for these? I would love to show some people outside of NB.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
Google doesn't work on your computer?
August 21, 2009 - 11:29 ET by Tom BlumerStronach:
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/256600
Berlusconi:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6189157.stm
STFU Tom. Is it that big of
August 21, 2009 - 11:52 ET by dvdaughtrySTFU Tom. Is it that big of a deal to ask for a link? I can't really do that much looking here at work (I'm at lunch now before you go on another smart ass post), and I am going to my second job tonight and won't be home until close to midnight.
That's why I asked if they were "handy". Just asking a favor. If the answer was "no", then yes I would have checked to see if google was working.
Ass.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
Shoot ....
August 21, 2009 - 22:30 ET by Tom Blumer.... How about if I say "I was wrong to be so flip, and I am sorry"? Because I am.
It was hasty. I had to leave for somewhere but I thought it was important enough to dig up before I left. As soon as I was in the car, I said, "That was harsh, I hope he/she doesn't take offense."
Again, I'm very sorry. Period. Won't be repeated with you or anyone else.
Apology for Tom
August 22, 2009 - 10:02 ET by dvdaughtryThank you for the apology and please accept an apology from me. I got a little keyboard commando. It did rub me the wrong way, but I didn't have to fly off the handle in expressing it.
I am sorry to for my choice of words. Please accept my apology as well. We are on the same team, I shouldn't have escalated it.
Thanks again and thanks for listening. Look forward to more of NB.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
Thanks for your graciousness
August 23, 2009 - 09:51 ET by Tom BlumerI'll be making sure to aim my fire at deserving targets, of which there is sadly no shortage.
I just googled it.
August 21, 2009 - 12:06 ET by bktit's there.
Simply an unfair thread
August 21, 2009 - 07:04 ET by ThisnThatCome on, Tom, you are simply being unfair here. How could you even think about the AP diverting its limited resources to report on the Canadian system? Doesn't AP have an obligation, first and foremost, to report on all the racist, immoral, un-Americans attending the town hall meetings? And what about all the time AP needs to spend re-writing the accounts of actual events to match AP's agenda?
Why, Tom, are you insisting that AP spend unnecessary time reporting on an "obvious" mis-characterization of Canada's health care by Nazi-trained, Bush-loving, right-wing radical doctors? \sarc
___________________________________
"Tax the rich" is a basically unstable way of governing - The NYT
The Canadian health care
August 21, 2009 - 10:17 ET by ChuchulainnThe Canadian health care system may be sick, but here are some curious stats from the World Health Organization
Ranking of the Worlds Health Systems: Canada-30, U.S. 37
Healthy Life Expectancy: Canada-12, U.S. 24
Total Expenditure On Health as % of GDP: Canada 9.8, U.S. 15.2
In every category Canada beat the U.S., but of course we all know that the WHO is a pinko comunist organization with misleading stats, and Canada is a socialist dictatorship similar to Nazi Germany during WWII.
Why does %GDP matter?
August 21, 2009 - 11:16 ET by szampThis ranks countries in how much interference their govenments have in their healthcare, not how good their healthcare is. If this was realistic, canadians wouldn't be coming here because they can't get what they need there. I bet they don't count some types of death in their mortality rate too.
WHO's fooling who.
August 21, 2009 - 11:19 ET by katainkentthis article is getting a bit of use this week.
WHO's fooling who. (Cato Institute)
___________________________________________
"Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller." - (Dr. In Chief) Barack Obama June 25, 2009
10 Surprising Facts about
August 21, 2009 - 21:02 ET by stratman10 Surprising Facts about American Health Care
Compares American to Canadian systems outcomes, apples to apples, using data that was appropriately obtained, recorded and sufficient in quantity to allow a comparison.
WHO cares spit about the accuracy of the data they receive from countries. If they did care, then they would not accept the non-transparent and unverifiable data presented by Cuba and other countries. Also, different parameters for deciding what counts as inclusion or exclusion of the data is country specific.
riddle me this
August 21, 2009 - 13:06 ET by candanceHi there, Tain Bo Cuailnge resister. Tell King Concobhar I said hello.
If Canada and UK offer "guaranteed coverage to everyone" then why is anyone coming to America for basic treatment, and why is anyone doing their own dental surgery?
Being denied healthcare, whether because of income or because of rationing, has the exact same result either way. Poor people have no access to life-saving healthcare. What is the difference?
And it's a well known fact that WHO grades countries based on the pretense of government coverage.
Examine life expectancy
August 21, 2009 - 21:08 ET by NL207Examine life expectancy worldwide removing automobile deaths and homicide.
When you can correctly tell me what country's people have the greatest life expectancy when those causes are factored out, I might debate with you.
Another useful question: How do Canada and the US rank in cancer survival?
thats stupid
August 22, 2009 - 00:12 ET by GeronLWho cares about WHO rankings, how a list of % of patients who survive 5 years with cancer?
The US over 66%, England less than 50%
**stats came from the UK Telegraph
I think actual things are more important than leftist WHO stats. YOU must remember that other countries "save" money by letting oldsters and the chronically ill DIE.
Yet another infant
August 27, 2009 - 19:02 ET by UnsaneWhy, look. Another pathetic infant who can't handle the strains of adulthood, who wants everyone else to baby him.
How exactly are those rankings in the first category composed?
Life expectancy is determined by a TEENSY more than health care systems. If a nation's health care delivery method was the only determinant of life expectancy, please explain why everyone in the world isn't rushing to emulate Japan and Iceland.
That total expenditure on health stat is quite misleading, as the government practices severe rationing of health care. Yeah, they spend less on health care as a percentage of GDP, but that comes as cold comfort to Canadians who often head south for their health care, and spend their own money doing so.
If you think being babied by the government is SO GREAT, well, I don't see you leading by example, rushing to Canada or Great Britain.
Here is another stat where the United States destroys Canada but you ignored in your quest to advocate the joys of being babied by the government:
MD Anderson is a hospital/health science center in Houston. it is but one of many such places in Houston. It alone has a bigger research budget than ALL OF CANADA. Where do you think Canada is getting its medical knowledge, know-how, training, and equipment...from the "Medicine Fairy?" Hardly.
The United States is responsible for 85% of the world's medical advances.
I cannot recall a single instance where a Canadian won a Nobel Prize for medicine or even did anything noteworthy in the realm of medical science.
Dismissed. Go pay for your own damn doctor, or go start a charity for those who cannot if you are so enraptured with guilt about the issue.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Re Canadian System
August 21, 2009 - 10:59 ET by slickwillie2001Yesterday on Fox News a Canadian was interviewed on the Canadian system, and he pointed out several misconceptions we have about the Canadians system, one of which is private insurance. Many Canadians, ie 40-60%, have private insurance from companies that we would be familiar with to cover what the Canadian government healthcare system does not. It appears that just as with the French system being held up as a model lately, the proponents of government healthcare don't give us the whole story.
Canadians should be really concerned now/
August 21, 2009 - 11:06 ET by szampCanadians should be really concerned now. If Obama passes this healthcare disaster, they will have no place to go.
Excellent catch-----
August 21, 2009 - 11:58 ET by misterbillExcellent catch----- well maybe they might get on the list if they ask (pay) someone in ACORN for help. They will then be counted in the census and may qualify.
Shades of 1984 ...
August 21, 2009 - 11:53 ET by metaphorsbwithuNow you're being unfair. How can the media report on this story when the White House media czar hasn't given them the go-ahead. ;-)
"It's the one thing they can't do. They can make you say anything - anything - but they can't make you believe it. They can't get inside you." - Julia, in 1984
metaphorsbwithu
The New York Times --
August 21, 2009 - 19:49 ET by GeronLYou meant the Post there.
Anyway why should anyone be surprised?
Imagine how the media will blame Republicans when the Obamites burn down the Reichstag next October.
Thanks
August 21, 2009 - 22:34 ET by Tom Blumer.... an error between the operator and the keyboard. :-->