Ontario's Hospitals Want Commitment From Federal Parties
Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
Visit our Web Site: http://www.oha.com
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
OHA calls on federal parties to make specific assurances to adequately fund health system
TORONTO – On behalf of Ontario's 159 hospitals, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) has sent detailed questionnaires to the major federal parties seeking their commitment to four key policies to ensure hospitals are able to keep up with patient care needs due to Ontario's growing and aging population.
"Ontario's hospitals recognize that for too long, the federal government has not provided its fair share of funding for healthcare in Canada, and as a result, provincial governments don't have the necessary funds to adequately support hospitals and for the modernization of the health care system," said Hilary Short, President and CEO of the OHA."While the OHA is pleased that all major federal parties have made health care a priority in their platforms, there is an urgent need for details on how the parties will support crucial hospital services," Short added.
The OHA is seeking specific answers from the federal parties on an immediate increase in federal cash transfers for health care in 2004/05, adequate and predictable federal cash transfers for health care, federal investments in health capital modernization and federal investments in the development and commercializing of health research.
Hospitals in Ontario share the concerns of all Canadians about the future sustainability of the healthcare system. The OHA recognizes that healthcare remains the number one priority of the people of Ontario in this election campaign and is continuing to advocate on behalf of patients that the federal government urgently and adequately fund Ontario’s health system, of which hospitals are the key part.
"Ontario's hospitals have been recognized as leaders in efficiency and accountability, but adequate, stable funding is sorely needed by the federal government," added Short.
The OHA hopes to hear from the federal parties by June 18th.
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For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1348