OTTAWA, Nov. 30, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Today in Ottawa, the National Association of Federal Retirees (Federal Retirees) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) wrapped up its first round of Canada-wide town hall meetings on the urgent need to address seniors care.
Federal Retirees members gathered in communities including Charlottetown, Halifax, Regina, Edmonton and Kelowna to discuss how Canada can do better when it comes to taking care of its aging population. Seniors and panelists alike were clear: Canada can, and must, do better on seniors health care – and a new Health Accord is the right time to do it.
"Canada needs an integrated continuum of care for seniors that addresses the gaps we have right now between homecare, palliative and long-term care, as well as pharmaceutical coverage," said Federal Retirees' President Jean-Guy Soulière. "We cannot continue to deliver health care, or even to continue to discuss it, in a siloed, piecemeal approach. Seniors are calling for cooperation and action."
"Canadians are saying clearly that they want leadership in the form of a new national Health Accord and they want it now," said Dr. Granger Avery, the CMA President. "Recognizing that Canadians consistently place health care in the top three of issues, this inaction is both surprising and disappointing."
Federal Retirees and the CMA will continue their efforts to take the pulse of Canadians, including from their respective memberships, on how best to influence legislators to get this Health Accord right for all. The input and thoughts gathered from retirees and the public will be captured in a report that will be presented to federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health.
About Federal Retirees
The National Association of Federal Retirees represents more than 180,000 active and retired members of the federal public service, Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and retired federally-appointed judges, as well as their partners and survivors. With 82 branches run by volunteers, it has a 50-year history of providing independent advocacy on issues affecting the financial security and health and well-being of our members and Canadians.
About the CMA
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 83,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is helping physicians care for patients. The CMA will be the leader in engaging and serving physicians and be the national voice for the highest standards for health and health care.
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association
Sayward Montague, Director, Advocacy, National Association of Federal Retirees, (613) 404-4554, [email protected], www.federalretirees.ca; Media contact Canadian Medical Association, [email protected], 613-806-1865
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