Funding cuts endanger medicare

In December, 2011, the Harper government announced that in 2017 the transfer of health care funds from Ottawa to the provinces will be cut from the current annual six per cent increase to a percentage pegged to the GDP, with a guaranteed base of only three per cent.

It has been projected that by 2024, the provinces will lose a cumulative $ 52.5 billion in transfers and equalization payments. ( Source: Report of the Council of the Federation Working Group on Fiscal Arrangements, July 2012.)

With an aging population and an increasing demand for health care services for young families, funding cuts will endanger medicare.

The discontinuation of the Canada Health Accord will bring about the demise of our current health care system and lead to a two- tier system providing luxury, privatized forprofit care for the wealthy, and an underfunded system for the majority of us.

Canadians will end up with a health care system with varying levels of care depending on where they live.

There will be a failure to institute a Canada- wide pharmaceutical program and a lack of funding for home and palliative care which will be needed for the increasing proportion of elderly Canadians.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments should negotiate a new 2014 Health Accord that protects and strengthens our universal public health care system.

A new accord should include a continuing care plan that integrates home, facility- based long- term, respite and palliative care; a universal public pharmacy plan that provides equitable access to safe and appropriate medication; and adequate and stable federal funding.

CLIFF BOLDT

Courtenay