CCA: Incentives needed to control health care demands

Incentives to work smarter, not more money, is what's needed to curb escalating health care demands on the federal purse, said the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) today in response to the release of the Federal Budget.

The CCA applauded the government's move to forgive student loans for medical doctors and registered nurses who agree to work in remote areas.  "That is an incentive-based solution to a health care delivery problem," said CCA President, Dr. Eleanor White.  "This is something that should be extended to doctors of chiropractic."

"We are treated daily to news of how an increasingly larger slice of public funds is being taken up by health care costs," continued White.  "The CCA believes that spending more money will not necessarily lead to healthier populations. We need to spend smarter not more. We may even be able to spend less for greater public good."

Canada needs to look beyond treating illness and disease for solutions to spiraling health care costs contends the CCA.  The Association called on the federal government to ensure that when funds are transferred to provinces or territories, there are incentives to ensure they are used efficiently for maximum value.

"Our profession sees a great deal of wasted time and needless suffering in the current healthcare system.  As chiropractors, we can assist our overworked fellow healthcare providers by promoting health and prevention within our patient management framework," said White.

"All healthcare providers must encourage health, well-being and prevention.  Working together works for everyone," she concluded.

The Canadian Chiropractic Association represents Canada's chiropractors, one of the largest primary health care professions recognized by statute in all Canadian provinces.   The practice of chiropractic includes the diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of spinal, joint and related neuromusculoskeletal disorders.

Source: CANADIAN CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION