BY RON du BOIS

Most U.S. citizens can’t abide the Canadian single-payer healthcare system and most Canadians can’t abide the U.S. private for-profit system.

Asked which healthcare system she would prefer, this Canadian lady replied, “I find it amazing that Americans are so attached to a system that doesn’t work … their inability to cooperate for the welfare of everyone. I prefer the Canadian system because I don’t have to worry about becoming destitute.

“For the most expensive life saving medical procedures Canadians never receive a medical bill. Hands down Canadian!”

On the wall behind her is posted the mission statement of the Gimli hospital, Manitoba, Canada.

Strangely offensive to the mindset of U.S. conservatives, it reads as follows:

MISSION

To achieve the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of all Interlake residents and communities, through publicly funded and delivered sustainable, accessible, integrated health services.

VISION

Healthy People in Healthy Communities

VALUES

LEADERSHIP

Leadership is guided by the belief that health care is not merely the absence of illness or infirmity, but strives for the physical, mental, and social well being of all people.

INNOVATION

Through a publicly funded and delivered framework, the organization strives for excellence, continuous improvement and quality service across all programs and services, reflective of the population we serve.

INCLUSIVENESS

People’s ethnic and cultural heritage, including alternative healing practices, are recognized and respected. In making evidence-based and needs-based decisions we are inclusive in how we engage our diverse population.

ACCESSIBILITY

People will have reasonable and timely access to appropriate, sustainable programs and services.

SHARED OWNERSHIP

Wellness is emphasized through active community participation in health promotion, and community wellness, targeting at risk populations.

SUSTAINABILITY

Health programs and services are sustained through stable, appropriate staffing levels, staff retention and recruitment, long-term government funding and responsible use of financial resources.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION

Community and government partnerships are developed, encouraged and sustained through open, honest and ongoing two-way communications, community involvement and consultation.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The organization is accountable to the people of the region, government and community funders, through an integrated system of evidence-based planning, comprehensive performance and financial measurement and broad public reporting.

WORKPLACE SAFETY & HEALTH

We strive for the highest degrees of physical, mental and social well-being of our workers.

Employees are our most valuable asset and are recognized as partners in the decision making process. An environment of safety exists for staff and clients.

RESPECT

Clients, staff, volunteers and students are treated with honesty, fairness, understanding.

– Ron du Bois, a professor emeritus at Oklahoma State University, lives in Stillwater, OK and is an occasional contributor to The Oklahoma Observer. Dr. du Bois finds a startling juxtaposition between the above photograph and Sharon Martin’s Aug. 30 essay “Who Shapes What You Think?” Read it at https://okobserver.org/2011/08/30/who-shapes-what-you-think/