Health Reform Now with Colin Craig

In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges facing the Canadian healthcare system and explore potential solutions highlighted in the documentary "Health Reform Now."

Our guest, Colin Craig, from SecondStreet.org discusses their documentary, and the importance of learning from better-performing healthcare systems around the world and the need for political will to implement change.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Current State of Canadian Healthcare
   • Shocking statistics: 17,032 patients died on waiting lists between April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023
   • Canada's low ranking in international healthcare system comparisons despite high spending
2. Proposed Solutions from "Health Reform Now"
   • Activity-Based Funding: Incentivizing hospitals to treat more patients
   • Partnering with Private Clinics: Examples of success in Ontario and Saskatchewan
   • Reimbursing for Surgery Abroad: Learning from the EU's "Cross Border Directive"
   • Allowing Choice Between Public and Private Options: Common practice in other developed nations
   • Focus on Prevention: Potential to prevent up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke
3. Resources for Patients
   • Introduction to patientoptions.ca: Helping patients navigate both public and private healthcare options in Canada
4. Role of Think Tanks and Entrepreneurs
   • Importance of organizations like SecondStreet.org in proposing and advocating for healthcare reforms
   • Recognition of entrepreneurs working to connect patients with healthcare options
5. Learning from Other Countries
   • Discussing successful healthcare policies from around the world that Canada could adopt
   • The need for political will to implement these changes

Useful Links:

• Documentary - Health Reform Now
• SecondStreet
• PatientOptions.ca
• Healtheon

Guest Information:

Colin Craig, President of SecondStreet.org

Colin Craig has worked in the field of public policy for two decades and has helped shape government decisions at the municipal, provincial and federal level.

In 2018, he was hired as President of SecondStreet.org and played an instrumental role in launching the organization. Colin oversees the organization’s groundbreaking research and storytelling activities, and is the host of their television show – On Second Street (you can find it on The News Forum channel).

Prior to launching SecondStreet.org, Colin worked for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), a non-profit taxpayers’ watchdog organization. During his time with the CTF, he led the organization’s efforts to convince the federal government to draft and pass the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. Colin was also instrumental in exposing corruption during the construction of the City of Winnipeg’s police headquarters project. While working for the CTF in Alberta, he exposed and helped discontinue the City of Calgary’s golden retirement bonus scheme, helped reform council’s pension system (the mayor’s second pension is being phased out) and helped the CTF convince a majority of voters to vote “no” during Calgary’s Olympic bid plebiscite.

Colin has an MBA and a degree in economics from the University of Manitoba. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal in 2022 by the Premier of Alberta. Colin is the author of “The Government Wears Prada”  and contributed several chapters to the eBook Life After COVID. 

Email: colin@secondstreet.org

Stay tuned for more episodes exploring the future of health innovation. Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and share this important conversation with others who care about the future of Canadian healthcare.