Unreported

I'm not quite sure which is more worrisome in the wake of the Castonguay report today: the lack of attention paid to those who have rightly criticized the twin recommendations of user fees and increased privatization, or the fact that the lone objection of Quebec's Lib government is apparently to the idea of additional funding through a sales tax increase. (It seems particularly odd that the Charest government seems to think a "health tax" will be better received than a sales tax increase - is there any indication that the former is likely to be more popular, particularly when most people would figure to pay more to raise the same amount of money?)

What remains to be seen, though, is whether or not the debate will finally gain some traction on the federal scene. Naturally the Cons are entirely happy to see health care privatized without too much commotion - but while the NDP is once again highlighting the urgent need for federal action to boost public health care across the country, the other opposition parties seem more concerned with avoiding any commentary which could possibly be seen as affecting Quebec's government's actions.

Mind you, the release of today's report would seem to offer a perfect opportunity for any party looking to win some attention as a strong defender of public health care across the country. But all indications for now are that the Libs will sit this one out as well - raising again the question of what (if anything) they're ultimately willing to stand for.