2013:03 PROPOSALS TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HEALTH CARE
Whereas 1 the current federal-provincial-territorial agreement, “10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care”, will expire in 2014, and the Government of Canada has so far refused requests to discuss concerns and input to the renewed health accords consistent with the Canada Health Act; and
Whereas 2 the current health accords acknowledge a number of key areas for improvement, including wait times, home care, primary care reform, care in the North, the creation of a National Pharmaceuticals Strategy, prevention, promotion of public health, health innovation and accountability and reporting to citizens; and
Whereas 3 the Government of Canada has made unilateral announcements of significant reductions in healthcare transfers to the provinces and territories over the period 2014-24, which will disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable in Canadian society; and
Whereas 4 the 2012 report by The Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology made 46 recommendations it believes will transform the way health care professionals do business and will achieve lasting reform; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy support for open and transparent dialogue on concerns about and input to the renewed Health Accord and the Canada Health Act, especially on issues of concern for women; and be it further
Resolved 2 that NCWC urge the Government of Canada to
a. act on the 2012 report by the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology entitled “Time for Transformative Change: a Review of the 2004 Accord”; and
b. open the dialogue with the provinces and territories, the medical community, the service providers and the Canadian public to sustain and improve Canada’s public healthcare system, including its financing; and further
Resolved 3 that NCWC urge the Provincial Councils of Women to urge their governments to promote such improvements as:
a. a national pharmacare program, and
b. funding for mental health programmes and services, and
c. improved continuing care for seamless lifelong healthcare, and
d. equitable access to public healthcare in remote and northern areas; and be it further
Resolved 4 that the NCWC urge the Provincial Councils of Women to engage the provincial governments in a discussion of health issues of concern to women.