Some people don't care to use typical western medicine.
2007-01-12 05:05:53 · 4 answers · asked by j_goodwin27 2 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
The Canadian government only pays for all western medicine treatments.
We, the people, are trying to have it changed so that the government pays for alternative treatments as well.
2007-01-12 05:17:34 · update #1
Answering as an American, so I may not have all my facts straight:
Depends on your point of view
I don't know
Would it be a good thing if they did?
In America Massage Therapy is considered alternative health care, but the fact that Canadian health insurance (which I assume means gov't health care) covers it is used as a frequent rallying cry to try and get American privatized health insurance companies to cover it. In that sense it depends on your point of view, and what you consider alternative health care.
I really have no basis to answer whether or not the coverage will expand to include other forms of alternative heatlh care, but I have wonder would it be a good thing if it did?
Given what I know of how massage therapy is practuced in Canada, I would be surprised if massage therapy was considred alternative. As I understand it the doctor give you a scrip for a specific problem, you take it to a massage therapist who acts to treat that problem EXACTLY in the authorized manner, not addressing any other part of the body, and rarely working on any indiviual client for more then 30 minutes. This turns massage into a reductionist addendum to western medicine, rather then a holistic practice for ensuring the smooth functioning of the entire body. Until a complete reassessment of our concept of healthcare occurs, any alternative therapy that seeks to be covered by standard health care packages will have to become reductionist, so the bean counters can itemize the exact purpose, effects, etc.
Put another way, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure, but try proving to the bean counters in was necessary afterwards.
Unfortunately that means those of us who believe in holistic care have to suck up the cost.
2007-01-12 15:34:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jessica B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesnt the Canadian Government already pay for your health care?
2007-01-12 05:14:00 · answer #2 · answered by shorty 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why should the government take money from other people by force and use it to pay for your health care at all, whether traditional or alternative?
2007-01-12 05:41:29 · answer #3 · answered by Faeldaz M 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I hope so with all of my heart.
2007-01-12 05:54:49 · answer #4 · answered by dangerous 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋