Editor's notes

Canadians are increasingly worried about the nation's health care system. For as long as many of us can remember, it has been universal, dependable, reliable, and, most especially, free. But it cannot continue to be so; the country can no longer support such luxury.

All sorts of people and associations have schemes and ideas as to how this can be accomplished as painlessly as possible. But Canadians remain sceptical. Surely asking anyone for any kind of user fee will immediately eliminate a whole segment of poor people who will simply forego medical treatment because they can't afford those fees, they believe.

But most Canadians know that something must be done. The feature article this month provides a very workable solution to this dilemma. Dr. Wilfried Prewo, from the Institute Fur Weltwirtschaft at Kiel, explains how encouraging a system of two-tier medical care for Germans has enabled his country to ensure effective health care delivery for both public and private patients. In the question and answer session, Dr. Prewo explains the advantages and pitfalls of the German system, tells how the cost savings could be enhanced, and shows how Canada may benefit from following the German example.

This issue's authors

Isabella Horry is The Fraser Institute's Research Economist and co-author of many Institute books and publications. She received her M.A. in Economics from the University of British Columbia.

Kristin McCahon is Director of Publication Production at The Fraser Institute. She has her M.A. in English Literature from UBC in Vancouver.

Lydia Miljan is Director of the National Media Archive, a division of The Fraser Institute. She researches and writes On Balance. Lydia has an M.A. in Communications from the University of Calgary and is currently working on her Ph.D. at the same university.

Patrick Monahan is a Professor of Law at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. He is one of the nation's most distinguished commentators on constitutional law. Between 1986 and 1990 he was Senior Policy Advisor to Ontario Attorney General Ian Scott and Premier David Peterson, respectively.

Kate Morrison is Co-ordinator of the National Media Archive. She has a B.A. (Honours) in Economics and Communications from Simon Fraser University.

Filip Palda is Professor at l'École Nationale d'Administration Publique in Montreal, and Senior Fellow of The Fraser Institute. He is the author, co-author, or editor of several Institute books and publications. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago.

Robin Richardson is Director of the International Centre for the Study of Public Debt, a division of The Fraser Institute. He has an M.A. in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He is the author or editor of several Institute publications.

John Robson is a freelance writer based in Ottawa. He has his Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Austin. He has written several Critical Issues Bulletins and many articles in Fraser Forum.

Christopher Sarlo teaches economics at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario. The Fraser Institute published his Poverty in Canada in 1992.

Karen Selick practices law in Belleville, Ontario. She is also a columnist for Canadian Lawyer.

Michael Walker is Executive Director of The Fraser Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. He has written, edited, or co-authored dozens of Fraser Institute publications.

Walter Williams is John M. Olin Distinguished Scholar at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and is a syndicated columnist. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also contributed to several Fraser Institute books.

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