In recent days, ideas have been popping up to limit access to hospital care to people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. The suggestions range from increasing taxes to simply denying care for these “irresponsible” people. In doing so, we forget the primary intention of our public insurance program, which is universality of access and equality of citizens in the face of illness. By creating a breach in these principles, it seems to me that many other behaviors deleterious to health could be pilloried and call into question the insurability of the “culprits”: smoking, over-nutrition, malnutrition, tanning, overtraining, “workaholism”. »… Although of different natures, these behaviors, as we know, entail significant costs which could be avoided in our health system.
In addition, it is precarious to apply population statistics to individuals. How many unvaccinated people would have needed care even if they had been vaccinated? Around 1 to 2%, probably. Very smart whoever could designate them.
Finally, the questioning of universality of access could lead to lengthy debates with the federal government and call into question its contribution to the Quebec health system.
I am therefore of the opinion that this path does not lead to a solution in accordance with our social choices. Whether we like it or not, our principles must prevail over our legitimate impatience with the parasitism of some.
Watch video