The National Forum reports: crisis? What crisis?

The National Forum on Health's final report appears to have said what Canadians--and the federal Liberal government wanted to hear about the health care system. It called for preservation of the single-payer model and the 5 principles of the Canada Health Act, and also recommended that medicare be expanded to embrace pharmaceuticals and home care. Edmonton internist Tom Noseworthy, chair of the forum's steering committee, said public anxiety about medicare is caused by the rapid pace of change, not its direction. However, the CMA's Dr. Judith Kazimirski was quick to challenge Noseworthy and his criticism of those who say a crisis exists.