Briefing from the Sue McSheffrey Campaign

Better Health Care

Today’s families expect quality health care for everyone – not just for those who can afford to buy it. That’s why the NDP’s Tommy Douglas created public Medicare, and that’s why New Democrats are working to secure this vital health and social program.

Health is a real issue in the riding of Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke. We have some of the worst rates of heart disease, stroke and diabetes in all of Canada. For example, men in Renfrew County live almost two years less than other Ontarians and women live nearly one year less.

We are also one of the poorest ridings in Ontario and research has shown that poverty and poor health go hand-in-hand.

All areas in the riding are desperately short of doctors and 45 of those we have will be retiring over the next 5 years. Successive liberal and conservative governments have done little to tackle the problems.

The New Democrats: Putting You and Your Family First

The NDP are committed to improving and modernizing health care, and reducing wait times for you and your family by:

• Training 1,200 new doctors and 6,000 additional nurses each year.
• Giving doctors and nurses financial incentives to move to rural areas.
• Consistently pressing for more long-term care spaces and expanded home care coverage – to offer seniors dignity in their later years and take pressure off scarce hospital beds.
• Recognizing the credentials of foreign-trained health professionals.
• Launching a plan to phase in universal prescription drug coverage to protect families from soaring costs.

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