By: Pat Daley

  Big news. The Fraser Institute released a research study proving that Alberta's Premier Ralph Klein is on the right track with his plan to have hip replacements and other operations performed in private hospitals.
  A "thorough review" of medical economics literature provides a "strong case for the superiority of private, compared to government-run, hospitals," according to the notorious "think" tank. Or is that "stink" tank? Yes, indeedy. Of 15 studies reviewed, eight showed that private hospitals performed better, three showed that public hospitals performed better, and four showed no difference.
  Does The Fraser Institute have a position on the fifty-per-cent-plus-one national unity question?
 

"Private hospitals can lower costs by avoiding the high wages associated with unionized public hospital employees... "

  Ralph Klein said clearly that contracting-out surgeries to private hospitals won't be allowed unless a regional health authority can show that it's cost-effective. Not to worry.
  "Private hospitals can lower costs by avoiding the high wages associated with unionized public hospital employees in non-health care positions, such as cleaners, painters, or cooks." As if hospital food wasn't bad enough already.
  The Institute provides some shocking revelations. Did you know that unionized, non-medical staff at one hospital in British Columbia make 25% to 63% more than comparable private-sector union members at hotels? Not to demean hotel employees, but hospitals and hotels hardly seem to be comparable institutions even when it comes to cleaners and cooks.
  As the public relations campaign for private health care continues, there's hope the promoters will be their own worst enemies. Among those who want to take over health care from government is Ontario's 3,000-member Coalition of Family Physicians. And, they know what they want out of current fee schedule negotiations between the province and the Ontario Medical Association: an increase of 30% over three years.
  Quick, call a nurse practitioner. The doctors have gone delusional from the fever of their ambition.