NDP calls for tangible health care solutions

Halifax - This week, the NDP will introduce a suite of health care legislation designed to provide immediate solutions to get people the care they need.

“With more than 27,000 people waiting for surgery, and tens of thousands more waiting for consultations, we are seeing very little action to fix the surgery backlog,” said NDP Health and Wellness spokesperson Susan Leblanc. “In fact when we filed an FOI on surgery backlogs we were told there were no records that show the government is working to fix this problem. Weeks ago the Houston government promised a plan for health care by March 31, we’ve passed that date and still there’s no plan to be seen.”

The NDP will introduce five bills today to help address parts of the health care crisis:

Shingrix vaccine - Provides universal access to this important vaccination, as has been done in PEI.

Collaborative Emergency Centres - Expanding CECs across the province will help provide relief to rural ERs dealing with regular closures.

Emergency Room Standards Act - Requires the government to report monthly on statistics related to the proper function of ERs.

No Profit in Long Term Care -No public funds for new for-profit long-term care beds.

Universal Pharmacare -The federal NDPs has reached an agreement to get Pharmacare implemented across Canada. This legislation allows the province to embrace a federal plan for prescription drug coverage for all.

“We have been putting forward tangible solutions for some time, including the idea of allowing physician assistants to work in our hospitals to help deal with staffing shortages throughout the province,” said Leblanc. “I encourage the government to consider this legislation and how it could help people get the care they need.”

The NDP will introduce additional health bills this session, including on HIV PrEP medication, ambulance services and midwifery.

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