Health-care leaders call for meaningful debate on health care during remaining weeks of provincial election

TORONTO, May 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors, nurses, and patient advocacy groups are calling on the four political parties to make health and health care the number one issue in this election.

"With more than 700,000 Ontarians without access to a primary care provider, we need meaningful debate from the leaders on their plans for improving timely access to health care," said Dr. Ved Tandan, President of the Ontario Medical Association. "The leaders' debate on June 3^rd is an important opportunity to explain their plans to Ontarians."

"The health system in Ontario is at a critical juncture with a growing and aging population that will necessitate more services. An election is the perfect time to discuss with Ontarians the needs of the health system and to hear how politicians plan to partner with health providers to best serve the public," said Dr. Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.

"At the federal level and in Quebec, they hold two televised leaders' debates. If there's only one provincial debate in this election, and Ontarians don't get to hear how each party plans to make health care more accessible, coordinated and sustainable, then how can voters make an informed choice?" said the Ontario Lung Association's Peter Glazier, Chair of Better Care Faster, a coalition of health-based organizations working to improve the quality and sustainability of the Ontario health care system."

"As health-care organizations, we are committed to playing a meaningful role in the election process by educating the parties and local candidates on the current challenges facing the health-care system, then working with the new government to put patients first," said Dr. Sholom Glouberman, President of Patients Canada.

SOURCE: Ontario Medical Association

Media Contacts 

Ontario Medical Association 
Media Relations
416.340.2862 (direct)
1.800.268.7215, ext. 2862 (toll-free) 
[email protected]

Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
Marion Zych, Director of Communications
416.408.5605 (office)
647.406.5605 (cellular)
[email protected] 

Patients Canada  
Christina Spencer, Communications 
416.785.2500, ext. 2472 (office)
[email protected]

Better Care Faster
John Chenery
416.864.9911 (office)
647.293.9911 (cell)
[email protected]