Friday, 01 April 2011
The following open letter was sent by the Health Network and about a dozen other organizations to the Hon. Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health and wellness marking the 27th Anniversary of the Canada Health Act.
April 1, 2011
Hon. Maureen MacDonald
Minister of Health and Wellness
1690 Hollis Street
P.O. Box 488
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2R8
Sent via electronic mail to health.minister@gov.ns.ca
Dear Minister MacDonald,
April 1st, 2011 is the 27th anniversary of the Canada Health Act. The five principles of the Act – Public Administration, Universality, Accessibility, Comprehensiveness, and Portability – are the cornerstone of public health care.
Minister, we write today to urge your government to enshrine the five principles of the Canada Health Act in provincial legislation to stop the growth of private, for-profit health care and protect health care for all.
We note that your party has long been supportive of the Canada Health Act. In 2001, then NDP Health Critic, now Premier Darrell Dexter introduced the Protection of Medicare Act. Reintroducing this bill is likely the easiest way to enshrine the principles of the Act.
We urge the province to act on this important piece of legislation in the Spring Sitting of the Legislature
Respectfully,
Kyle Buott, Provincial Coordinator, Nova Scotia Citizens’ Health Care Network
Cliff White, Chair, Health Network
Danny Cavanaugh, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees Nova Scotia
Joan Jessome, President, Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union
Mike Sangster, Chairperson, AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia
Janet Hazelton, President, Nova Scotia Nurses Union
Susan Burrows, National Representative, Canadian Auto Workers
Angela Giles, Regional Organizer, Council of Canadians
Adrienne Silnicki, Health Care Campaigner, Council of Canadians
Rick Clarke, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Christine Saulnier, Director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Heather Elbourne, Registered Nurse, Health Network Board Member
Bill Swan, Deputy CEO, International Health Economics Institute
Hayley Gray, Dalhousie Women’s Centre Board Member
Tony Tracy, Regional Representative, Canadian Labour Congress – Atlantic Region
