Ontario Health Coalition

 MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 5, 2004

Homecare Review Opportunity

To Scrap Privatization, Restore Service to Thousands of Seniors

Toronto - The Ontario Health Coalition welcomes the Minister of Health‚s announcement that the system of homecare privatization through so-called competitive bidding will be reviewed. But the coalition is cautioning members that if the review only tinkers with the competitive bidding process, it will not solve some of the most serious problems in homecare as it presently operates.

"The competitive bidding system is deeply flawed and must be cancelled. It has diverted funding into a top-heavy administration that has substantially reduced the resources available for care", said Ross Sutherland, coalition spokesperson. "We want to ensure that this review recommends the creation of a public non-profit system that would be the best possible delivery system for quality integrated care."

The coalition wants the government to commit to:

  • rolling back the private for-profit takeover of homecare services
  • engaging in meaningful public consultation as part of the review
  • re-establishment of democratic community control in homecare
  • re-establishment of homecare coverage for the thousands of seniors and others who require home support services

    • "We are pleased that our government recognizes homecare as an essential component of the continuum of care. But this continuum requires that preventive homecare for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses be covered. In order for homecare to take its place in our modern health system, it must be covered by the principles of the Canada Health Act and delivered on a non-profit basis. Modern medicare must not be built on privatization models that improve the bottom line for shareholders by worsening conditions for caregivers and for those needing care", concluded Ethel Meade, coalition co chair.

    For more information: Michael Hurley 416-884-0770 or Natalie Mehra 416-230-6402

    Ontario Health Coalition
    15 Gervais Drive, Suite 305
    Toronto, Ontario M3C 1Y8
    www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca
    phone: 416-441-2502
    fax: 416-441- 4073
    email:ohc@sympatico.ca

    Click here for more information on Homecare

    Click here to return to the OHC Home Page.