Blah blah blah. Some would say that's all Premier Gordon Campbell's much-vaunted $10-million Conversation on Health has provided, as it wraps up its in-public dialogue today in the Big Smoke.
The latest box score reveals that, as of two weeks ago, the Premier's plea to jaw, jaw, jaw about health care had inspired only about 16,000 British Columbians to do something more than access an Internet site. That's over a nine-month period in a province of more than four million. If they all showed up together at GM Place, where the Canucks play, there would still be several thousand empty seats.
And what interest remains has been flagging. During the second-last week of June, the Conversation evoked just 10 e-mails, seven "what's on your mind" submissions, four online discussion-board replies and two letters. Talk about your snore fest.
Yet, may I humbly suggest that all has not been a waste of time. Those who did take part in the many regional forums brought a refreshing candour and plain-spoken honesty to the complex challenges facing our health-care system.
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Perhaps surprisingly to the government, many reiterated their support for improving medicare without increasing the role of the private sector.
There have also been interesting, thoughtful responses to a number of the issues selected for online discussions, at least one of which provided a disheartening glimpse at what is happening in the trenches.
On the topic of two-tiered health care, "Roger from Coquitlam" described how his wife - a new mother and in excruciating back pain - wound up paying $5,000 last month for a discectomy.
According to Roger, an emergency physician at the local hospital was so alarmed by his wife's condition and resulting breastfeeding problems that he referred her to a neurosurgeon within 48 hours. But the surgeon told the couple that there was a six-month waiting list for an operation. In the meantime, she should take painkillers and do no lifting, not even of her baby. As they prepared to leave, however, he said that - for $7,000 - she could have the surgery done at a private clinic. Or, he could do the operation himself in a week's time at the False Creek Surgical Centre for $5,000.
Fearing for the health of their baby, the couple booked the neurosurgeon.
But Roger is bitter. "The same doctor, six months to go through the hospital, yet if you have the cash, less than a week to go private," he wrote online.
"We were trying to save for our first home but obviously this puts a dent in things. ... I keep hearing that Canada is not a two-tiered health care society. I argue that it certainly is, and, as you can see from our discounted rate ($5,000), there is thriving competition for private health care dollars.
"We [had] to get my wife healthy, for her, for our baby, and for our family," he concluded.
There is no way of knowing for sure, of course, but Roger's submission has the ring of truth. If it is true, it's outrageous.
Is this the slippery slope of two-tier health care, forcing desperate patients of modest means to pay through the nose?
Building excitement
In its own retro way, Vancouver's downtown post office is a magnificent building. With the added attractions of a helicopter pad on the roof, a mysterious tunnel down below and a cornerstone (remember them?) laid by Margaret Trudeau's dad, the post office is a classic example of how architects liked to show off in the long-lost 1950s.
It's big and square and really kind of wonderful. Now the landmark structure is up for sale, fate unknown.
Do I spy with my little eye the future location of a (wow) new Vancouver Art Gallery?
Mayoral messages
Vancouver Mayor "Spam" Sullivan issued another unnecessary press release this week, much to the merriment of those of us who follow these inanities.
The mayor made the day of the people of Sochi, Russia, by congratulating the city halfway around the globe for securing the 2014 Winter Olympics.
He then extended his municipal munificence to just about everybody, congratulating "members of the Russian community in Vancouver and across Canada," while recognizing "PyeongChang and Salzburg organizing committees for their bid proposals." That must have eased their pain.
Speaking of the mayor, check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSEhPvdrLXE. Recognize the boyish lead singer? Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, it ain't. But a vintage treat, nonetheless.
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