MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 23, 2017 /CNW/ - The targeted investments for home care and carers, announced in the 2017 federal budget, are critical steps in achieving the goal of more and better home care. Through targeted investments and new programs, the government reinforces the importance of innovation, life-long learning, data collection and technology to achieve effective, high quality home care.
Canadians have spoken and the federal government has listened and responded—older adults with frailty, individuals with complex, chronic disabling conditions, and those at end-of-life want to receive high quality care in their home.
"The long-term and predictable investment of $6 billion over 10 years for provincial and territorial programs and the targeted funding of $184.6 million for First Nations and Inuit will improve access to necessary home care and palliative care services," stated Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA). "We applaud the federal government for taking this bold step to ensure vulnerable populations receive the care they need in the setting of their choice."
The government's acknowledgement of the provincial and territorial initiatives and the need to ensure accountability through health agreements is an effective way to meet the goal of better home care for all Canadians. This approach is reflected in Better Home Care: A National Action Plan, a collaborative initiative supported by the CHCA, the Canadian Nurses Association and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. The Action Plan was developed by patients, home care providers, nurses, doctors, health care administrators and government policy planners. It outlines 16 priority actions for the federal government to advance in partnership with the provincial and territorial governments. The 2017 federal budget addresses many of these actions:
- Measure quality home care by reporting on a set of national indicators and supporting improved decision-making — an investment of $53 million over five years, starting in 2017–18, with $15 million per year ongoing, for the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
- Encourage innovation and spread and scale integrated, community-based practices for individuals with chronic complex needs, and end-of-life care — an investment of $51 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, with $17 million per year ongoing, for the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement.
- Accelerate the use of technology in home care and promote virtual care and telehome care applications — investment of $300 million over five years, starting in 2017–18, for Canada Health Infoway.
- Support the vital role of carers (family caregivers) by enhancing Employment Insurance benefits and simplifying caregiver tax credits — $691.3 million over five years, starting in 2017–18, and $168.1 million per year thereafter, to create a new Employment Insurance caregiving benefit to help eligible Canadians caring for critically ill or injured family members.
- Provide skills development for front line care providers — federal investments for training and additional employment opportunities for women.
The CHCA welcomes the opportunity to work with the federal, provincial and territorial governments to advance these important priorities and meet the needs of vulnerable Canadians with more and better home care.
About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA), incorporated in 1990, is a national not-for-profit membership association representing home care stakeholders from governments (federal, provincial and territorial), health authorities, publicly funded home care programs, service providers, medical and technology companies, researchers and others with an interest in home care. The CHCA advances excellence in home care and continuing care through leadership, awareness, advocacy and knowledge.
SOURCE Canadian Home Care Association
Lisa Benedet, Government Relations Lead, Canadian Home Care Association, Tel: 905-567-7373, E-mail: [email protected], www.cdnhomecare.ca
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