MRG Principles and Policy Statements
Preamble
Science tells us that the roots of the common causes of illness in Canada
lie in correctable social, economic, occupational and
environmental conditions. As a profession, we have largely
ignored the social determinants of health, and at times
have contributed to social changes harmful to health.
In particular physicians' organizations
have played leading roles in fighting universal accessible
health care. At the same time physicians tend to cling to
their power within the health care arena, reluctant to interact
with other health workers, and the public, as equal partners.
Because we believe it unlikely
that traditional medical organizations will change these
attitudes, we formed the Medical Reform Group in 1979, not
as an alternative to existing bodies but as a voice for socially
concerned physicians. We are, by constitution, independent
of any political party or organization, and similarly, independent
of any other professional organizations.
Principles
The Medical Reform Group is a democratic organization dedicated to the
following principles:
- Health care is a right. The universal access of every person to high quality, appropriate health care must be guaranteed. the health care system must be administered in a manner which precludes any monetary deterrent to equal care.
- Health is political and social in nature. Health care workers, including physicians, should seek out and recognize the social, economic, occupational, and environmental causes of disease, and be directly involved in their eradication.
- The institutions of the health
system must be changed. The health care system should
be structured in a manner in which the equally valuable contribution
of all health care workers is recognized. Both the public and
health care workers should have a direct say in resource allocation
and in determining the setting in which health care is provided.