Ontarians ready to pay more to sustain healthcare - as long as healthcare
workers are supported

News provided by

HOOPP

Dec 01, 2010, 14:39 ET

TORONTO, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) has released the results of a public survey about healthcare in Ontario. The survey showed:

  • 84% rated the quality of healthcare in Ontario as good or exceptional; in Toronto, 92% of respondents rated healthcare as good or exceptional
  • Healthcare should be the top priority of the provincial government. 71% of respondents said healthcare is the most important thing the provincial government has to do - the environment, the deficit and childcare were seen as lower priority
  • 90% believed that reducing number of nurses would really hurt healthcare delivery
  • 61% would pay higher taxes to sustain high quality healthcare

"The good news is Ontarians appreciate the excellent healthcare they are receiving," says John Crocker, HOOPP's President and CEO. "The challenge is they want more staff and shorter wait times. Ontarians also want the same high quality care in the community care setting as they receive in hospitals."

HOOPP commissioned the survey in advance of sponsoring the HOOPP Think Tank, a blue-ribbon group of healthcare administrators, union officials, government representatives, and healthcare practitioners. Among the featured speakers was economist Don Drummond. 

"We feel that those who deliver healthcare have unique perspectives on how the system we all value can be more efficient," says Crocker. "We hope that the outcome of our discussions, which we will deliver to the government and the media in a few weeks, will focus attention on solutions to keep the system healthy and effective for all Ontarians."

The survey was performed by the Gandalf Group, who polled 1,315 Ontarians from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8, 2010. The results are accurate by +/- 2.7 per cent. More details on the survey can be viewed here:
http://www.hoopp.com/about/media/releases/2010/1130thinktank_polling.pdf

About the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
Created in 1960, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) is the pension plan of choice for Ontario's hospital and community-based healthcare sector with over 340 participating employers and more than 250,000 plan members and retirees. HOOPP invests the assets of its $31 billion Fund, administers the Plan and pays more than $1 billion per year in pension benefits. The HOOPP defined benefit plan is a formula based benefit that provides security and peace of mind to Ontario's healthcare workforce.

HOOPP was named one of Canada's Top 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures in 2010.

HOOPP is governed by a Board of Trustees with representation from the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and four unions: the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The unique governance model provides representation from both employers and unions in support of the long-term interests of the Plan.

For further information:

or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Martin Biefer

Director, Public Affairs

416 369-8045

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