Singh delivers ‘reality check’ on health care at SOS Medicare Conference
This week’s edition of who is saying what about public health care is compiled by Pat Van Horne.
Singh delivers ‘reality check’ on health care at SOS Medicare Conference
“The reality is our health care system is eroding in a serious way… [The name of the SOS Medicare conference] is appropriate, with Canada’s system in a tough spot,” said federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, linking health care to the ongoing threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to make Canada “more like America,” in The Hill Times, February 24, 2025. Singh also blamed Conservative provincial governments for cuts to the system, and said the Liberal government “let it happen. . . They really haven’ t stood up and defended our public health care system.”
Health Minister tells SOS Medicare Conference that the first pharmacare deal is imminent
“There’s a couple of areas where I’m going to finally have some good news. One of them is on pharmacare . . . I can tell you that we’re very close to signing the very first pharmacare deal in this country. . . I am not going to comment on the specific jurisdictions; I don’t think you will have to wait very long to figure out who we are talking about,” said Health Minister Mark Holland, CBC News, February 24 2025
For-profit health care not worth it
“For-profit care, even when publicly funded, leads to higher costs and worse patient outcomes. For-profit clinics are incentivized to prioritize people who are wealthier and healthy, less expensive to treat, and provide larger profit-margins. In for-profit settings, patients are more likely to be asked to pay out-of-pocket for ancillary or “uninsured” services. . . To ensure the sustainable system of a reimagined system of care, leaders must also lead with Ontario’s regulatory power to prevent for-profit primary care from becoming the new normal,” said Dr. Danyaal Raza, family doctor and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto; Primary Care and Health Policy Scholar at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), Toronto Star, February 24, 2025
Violent, aggressive incidents no longer tracked in Manitoba hospitals
“That data would be invaluable because we know that violence is escalating in all our facilities. We absolutely know that . . .That’s absolutely shameful. . .- This is also just an example of the lack of value that employers and government place on front-line health-care workers,” said Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, which was not aware “code white” data wasn’t being tracked and said the data is critical in developing safety strategies in hospitals, Winnipeg Free Press, February 24, 2025
Alberta minister resigns over Danielle Smith’s handling of allegations of political interference in procurement of for-profit surgical facilities
“I’m not going to stand by and see potential corruption exist within government and be a part of that,” said former Alberta Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie, who stepped down to protest Premier Danielle Smith’s handling of allegations that government officials pressed the provincial health authority to make deals favouring private businesses, The Globe and Mail, February 25, 2025. Friends of Medicare has called on the Health Minister to resign over the allegations.
CEO of BC’s largest health authority abruptly resigns as province seeks to reduce administration costs and focus resources on the front lines
“With the population growing, the demands at Surrey Memorial are increasing daily and our members are not feeling supported. This isn’t just a blip – it’s a chronic, worsening condition. . .But the issues are not unique to Fraser Health,” said Adriane Gear, president BC Nurses’ Union, to The Globe and Mail February 20, 2025
Pieces of the puzzle: the struggle for primary care
“Because while everyone’s kind of looking at their own individual piece of the puzzle, no one is putting all the pieces together to say, like, you’re this person as a whole and these are all of your conditions and these are all the medications you’re on” said Kristen Walsh, who lives in Conception Bay South, NL, about managing her multiple chronic medical conditions without a family doctor, CBC News, February 25, 2025
Quebec denying health coverage to open-work permit holders
“I couldn’t stay (in Iran) because I didn’t want to wear a hijab and there were several occasions that I had an incident with the morality police and I didn’t feel safe and my family was worried. . . (Denial of health coverage) is discrimination in my opinion. I think it’s not humane,” said Somayeh Ahmadiseddigh, to Radio Canada, February 25, 2025. Ahmadiseddigh came to Quebec under special Canadian immigration measures for Iranians escaping the country’s political instability, and sought medical care after being hit by a falling ladder.
Hold politicians to account for children’s physical, mental and social health
“Child health doesn’t start in a doctor’s office — it starts with stable housing, nutritious food and safe communities. Yet, 1-in-4 children in Ontario live in poverty and the soaring cost of living is pushing more families into crisis. Food insecurity is rampant, affecting 1-in-5 children and we are seeing the consequences in our clinics — children who are undernourished, struggling to focus in school and facing increased risks of both physical and mental health problems. . . Hold political candidates to account,” said Dr.Malini Dave, past president of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario (PAO), and Dr. Ripudaman Singh Minhas, developmental pediatrician, current PAO president, Toronto Star, February 25 2025
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