National Association of Federal Retirees going across country to get feedback for a new Health Accord

OTTAWA, Nov. 7, 2016 /CNW/ - The National Association of Federal Retirees (Federal Retirees) is joining forces with the Canadian Medical Association to advocate for a new Health Accord focused on the urgent need to address seniors care in this country.

In a series of roundtable meetings to be held across the country, Federal Retirees and the CMA will bring concerned Canadians together to discuss how Canada can do better when it comes to taking care of its aging population. Held in November, the roundtables will be open to the public and held in various locations across the country. A report summarizing the feedback will be presented to federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health.

"Health care in this country needs to reflect our aging population. We are concerned about the lack of support for home care and long-term care as well as the inequalities in accessibility to medication and support for natural caregivers. It is our duty to resolve this urgent need as quickly as possible," said Jean-Guy Soulière, National President of Federal Retirees.

"As Canadians are living longer, healthier lives, they're doing so with more complex and chronic conditions," said Dr. Granger Avery, the CMA President. "This is the area of our system that needs urgent attention because treating these issues properly requires a much more integrated, collaborative and efficient system than the one we have now."

The roundtables are open to the public and will be taking place at the following locations:

• November 7, 2016 at 7:00 PM at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS
• November 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Murchison Centre in Charlottetown, PE
• November 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 175 in Edmonton, AB
• November 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM at Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna, BC
• November 9, 2016 at 2:00 PM Wesley United Church, Regina, SK
• November 30, 2016 at 1:00 PM at RA Centre, Ottawa, ON

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

Andrew McGillivary, Director Communications & Marketing, National Association of Federal Retirees, [phone] ext. 234, [email protected], www.federalretirees.ca; Media contact Canadian Medical Association, [email protected], 613-806-1865