James Rodd, Leader of the NDP of PEI, made an announcement today concerning a comprehensive approach to providing proper health care for all Islanders.
Today, on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island, I am proud to unveil the Prince Edward Island Health Charter, our pledge to Islanders that, within five years of forming government, every man, woman, and child in Prince Edward Island will have access to high-quality public health care services.
Canada is a wealthy country where seniors shouldn’t have to choose between the medications they need and a healthy diet; where low-income Islanders shouldn’t have to pay for necessary drugs while better-off Islanders enjoy drug coverage through their employers; and where all Islanders, no matter where they live, should be able to feel secure knowing that emergency room resources are within a reasonable drive, day or night.
The New Democratic Party is the architect and guardian of Medicare – the NDP brought in Medicare so that no man, woman, or child would go without adequate health care in this country.
The new P.E.I. Health Charter is the NDP’s commitment to better health care for all Islanders.
Key aspects of the Charter include:
- A pharmacare / catastrophic drugs program.
- Additional community health clinic staffed by collaborative teams of doctors, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers, and other health care workers – including naturopathic and preventative health care practicioners.
- A plan to train and retain more doctors, nurses, and other health care workers, including the identification of, and support for, P.E.I. students who demonstrate an aptitude and interest in the health care field.
- Additional long-term care beds for seniors at smaller and more numerous in-community public manors offering an integrated continuum of seniors’ care.
- Incentives for preventative health care and improved health outcomes for all Islanders, but with a special focus on low-income Islanders, youth, and seniors.
