CUPE is encouraged by the commitment of the new federal government to negotiate a new Health Accord. And, when the Ministers of Health meet on January 20 and 21 in Vancouver, we hope that there will be cooperation among all levels of government to negotiate a new Health Accord to strengthen and expand our public Medicare system.
CUPE Ontario has urged Ontario’s Minister of Health to support a new Health Accord that includes the following elements:
- Stable and adequate multi-year funding from the federal government, with annual increases established at a minimum 6%;
- A national continuing care program that extends the principles of the Canada Health Act to long term care, home and community care and establishes minimum staffing, minimum hours of daily hands-on-care and phasing out of for-profit delivery in this sector;
- Clear commitment to a publically delivered, publicly administered health care system with an end to private clinics;
- A national universal Pharmacare program that provides coverage to all Canadians through a national formulary, evidence-based evaluation of prescribing and protection from trade deals.
Read CUPE Ontario’s letter to Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
