This letter appeared in my in-box this evening and was sent from the Liberal Party. As we have a Doctor, well actually 2 Doctors, but I don't think the other one is a Medical Doctor running in our riding. Where does Doctor Leitch stand on Health Care after the current agreement with the Provinces expires in 2014.
Dear friends,
I rarely send messages like this but I thought it was too important not to share.
I’m very concerned about how universal health care could be affected by a Conservative win on May 2.
Regardless of your politics and mine, quality accessible health care is something we all value and depend on.
In those moments when a loved one gets sick. Or has to be rushed to hospital. We just want to know we’re getting the best care possible.
In that moment, we have to put our trust in a health system we have built together. A system that is only as strong as the values of the government and leader we elect to protect it.
I am scared that in a few years, if the Conservatives get their way, when you walk into an emergency room in Canada you’ll have to pull out your credit card.
That’s not an exaggeration. Here are the facts.
Harper hasn’t spent a cent on health care that wasn’t already committed by a Liberal government. And now he says he’ll cut $11 billion in government services but won’t say on what.
Stephen Harper has refused to meet with the provinces on health care, because he says the Federal government should play no role in protecting and improving the health care system.
During the Leaders' Debate on April 12, 2011, Stephen Harper said "we're not going to wave the finger at provinces because they experiment with different delivery.”
And he has said on the record in the House of Commons that he is open to “private, for profit” health care in Canada.
I know this election may seem like one of too many we’ve had in the last few years. But it is the prime minister we elect on May 2 who will negotiate the next health accord in 2014.
Michael Ignatieff was first to commit to continue the 6 percent funding escalator on health transfers to the provinces, and has said he’d bring First Ministers together within 60 days of forming a government to begin work on a new funding agreement for health care.
My mind is made up. I’m voting to protect health care.
That’s why I’m calling on you to please vote Liberal on May 2, and support the only Party that can form a government which will protect universal health care for future generations.
SOURCES Ignatieff: Liberal government would gather first ministers on health care (The Canadian Press, April 17, 2011)http://ca.news.yahoo.com/ignatieff-liberal-government-gather-first-ministers-health-care-20110417-091319-266.html
Tories have endangered health care: ex-PM Paul Martin (Calgary Herald, April 16, 2011) http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/decision-canada/Tories+have+endangered+health+care+Paul+Martin/4629299/story.html
Liberals vow to maintain annual increase in health-care transfers (Globe and Mail, April 8, 2011)http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-vow-to-maintain-annual-increase-in-health-care-transfers/article1976243/
Open letter to Canadians on the future of health care from Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (Liberal.ca, April 8, 2011)http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/news-release/open-letter-canadians-future-health-care-michael-ignatieff-leader-liberal-party-canada/
Poll: What’s Harper’s best quote on health care? (Liberal.ca Blog, April 18, 2011)http://www.liberal.ca/newsroom/blog/favourite-stephen-harper-quote-health-care/
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