08) SUPPORT CALL TO SAVE MEDICARE
People's Voice Editorial
The Canadian
Health Coalition is seeking widespread support for its updated Call to Care
statement, which articulates a common vision for the future of health care, as
governments prepare to re‑negotiate the renewal of the Health Accord in
2014.
As the Call
reminds us, "Health care in
The CHC urges
that important principles shape the Health Accord renewal, including:
recognition of the highest attainment of health as a fundamental right;
recognition that Aboriginal people must be at the table of First Ministers
discussions on the Health Accord; recognition of health care as a public good
for which no financial barriers must be erected, and which must be delivered on
a public, not‑for‑profit basis; opposition to any commercialization
and privatization of health care; the need for the federal government to fully
assume its responsibilities in respect to health; expansion of the system to
include a universal Pharmacare plan, a system of home
and community care, long‑term care, and a strategy for mental health; the
need to move towards a community-based, multi‑disciplinary team approach
to the organization and delivery of services; accountability through democratic
participation and transparent governance at all levels of the health system;
recognition that decent wages and working conditions for health care workers
are critical to a high quality system.
We urge all labour and people's organizations to sign on to this
statement, which can be found at www.healthcoalition.ca.
(The above
article is from the January 1-31, 2012, issue of People's