This partly explains why the list of values in figure 1 differs in part from the preceding core values. As Figure 1 indicates, all values are believed to be important in shaping the health care system. However, efficiency, performance and equality of access are assigned highest priority. Many agreed that the universality of the system helped distinguish Canada from the United States in a way that showed us to be a more generous and compassionate society. Others said that they derived a sense of pride with the quality of the system.
People feel they are very fortunate to have benefited from such a good system.
Accessibility and quality are described as the twin pillars of the health care system, with accessibility being somewhat more important for the majority. We take pride that both rich and poor have access to the same quality of health services in Canada. Indeed, the majority of participants were ingenious at avoiding the hard choices. They see our health system as threatened but are loath to trade off the current system against the promise of a better or fairer future performance. Participants also expressed a desire for health care reform to reflect the values they believe in and to be undertaken with an eye to improving and preserving what they consider to be important about the system rather than just dismantling what exists.