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Ralph Klein has gone and it is time to retire Ralph's World. Thanks to all of you who have supported this venture by contributing material and through your comments. It has been fun.
Should we get another blog underway? Let me know your thoughts by e-mailing me at johnnyslow@gmail.com.
John Slow
January 1, 2007
Friday, March 19, 2004
Gary Mar - Poet or Minister of Health
From Alberta Hansard on Wednesday March 17th, 2004
Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The main problem facing Alberta’s health care system is not out-of-control costs; it’s mismanagement of the money we have. Yesterday I asked reasonable questions of the Minister of Health and Wellness about whether his department did due diligence on the electronic health record system.
The answer I got didn’t address the question, so I’ll give the minister another chance today. To the Minister of Health and Wellness:
given that the minister announced $59 million in October for health information systems, then provided the AMA with $65 million in November, and RHAs are spending untold millions more, will the
minister tell us the total expected cost of establishing the electronic health record system?
Mr. Mar: Well, Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day I feel
compelled to answer in the following manner.
There once was a man from Riverview
Whose opinions were respected by few.
He said: "It’s so grand
To have your head in the sand;
Our health system we need not renew".
Well Minister Mar obviously didn't make this up on the spot. He likely held a retreat somewhere to meet with his top minion to develop a response to Taft's anticipated question. Here's how that meeting might have gone.
Minister Gary: Roger. Taft is going to ask where all the cash is going on this electronic health record system thingy. How much have we spent so far?
Deputy Roger: I don't know. I thought you knew.
Minister Gary: Geez Rog. How are we going to answer. We're supposed to be fiscally responsible.
Deputy Roger: What's fiscally mean?
Minister Gary: Something about money I think.
Deputy Roger: Look. Just brush him off with a joke. How about a clever limerick. We can get one of them produced for under $15,000 I bet.
Minister Gary: Isn't that kind of expensive.
Deputy Roger: Not compared to what we're spending on the electronic records system.
Minister Gary: Good point. Have the limerick on my desk in time for Question Period on the 17th.
Deputy Roger: Yes Minister.
Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The main problem facing Alberta’s health care system is not out-of-control costs; it’s mismanagement of the money we have. Yesterday I asked reasonable questions of the Minister of Health and Wellness about whether his department did due diligence on the electronic health record system.
The answer I got didn’t address the question, so I’ll give the minister another chance today. To the Minister of Health and Wellness:
given that the minister announced $59 million in October for health information systems, then provided the AMA with $65 million in November, and RHAs are spending untold millions more, will the
minister tell us the total expected cost of establishing the electronic health record system?
Mr. Mar: Well, Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day I feel
compelled to answer in the following manner.
There once was a man from Riverview
Whose opinions were respected by few.
He said: "It’s so grand
To have your head in the sand;
Our health system we need not renew".
Well Minister Mar obviously didn't make this up on the spot. He likely held a retreat somewhere to meet with his top minion to develop a response to Taft's anticipated question. Here's how that meeting might have gone.
Minister Gary: Roger. Taft is going to ask where all the cash is going on this electronic health record system thingy. How much have we spent so far?
Deputy Roger: I don't know. I thought you knew.
Minister Gary: Geez Rog. How are we going to answer. We're supposed to be fiscally responsible.
Deputy Roger: What's fiscally mean?
Minister Gary: Something about money I think.
Deputy Roger: Look. Just brush him off with a joke. How about a clever limerick. We can get one of them produced for under $15,000 I bet.
Minister Gary: Isn't that kind of expensive.
Deputy Roger: Not compared to what we're spending on the electronic records system.
Minister Gary: Good point. Have the limerick on my desk in time for Question Period on the 17th.
Deputy Roger: Yes Minister.
