Advocate adamant National Seniors Strategy should be discussed during election campaign

Dear Editor:

I believe that this is the ideal time for voters and our prospective parliamentary representatives to think about health care, especially when it comes to the seniors’ population.

In this region, where retirees make up a significant proportion of the population, the issue of how to best meet the health needs of a burgeoning senior cohort, while continuing to provide first rate health care services to the entire population will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Recent polling places health care at the top of the list when voters are asked what issues matter most to them.

And yet the federal government is on track to reduce the rate of increase in health transfer payments to the provinces starting in 2017, a strategy that would rob the provinces of up to $36 billion over the next 10 years.

This approach is being taken at a time when our health care system lacks standards, has no national pharmacare program and no strategy to address the needs of an aging population.

A National Seniors Strategy would ensure that the current 15 per cent of hospital beds often occupied by seniors no longer needing hospital care, could be made available to other patients waiting for medically necessary procedures and surgeries.

A National Seniors Strategy would provide adequate home care, long term care and end of life care, while freeing up this acute care space.

Thus far in this federal election campaign, we are not hearing a firm commitment from any candidate to maintain the current level of health transfers and to work with provinces and territories to improve the delivery of services to all Canadians.

I urge voters to call upon candidates to commit to action that will improve health care for Canadians both now and well into the future.

The issue of enacting a National Seniors Strategy and providing adequate care for millions of elderly Canadians is too important to be ignored by our elected officials any longer.

We urge area residents to speak out on this issue and ensure that health care issues for seniors becomes a key issue as we move closer to the federal election on Oct. 19.

Thank you for allowing me to write about this very important issue in our community and from coast to coast in Canada.

Take care and thanks again.

Christine Elder
National Association of Federal Retirees
Vice President, South Okanagan Branch
Summerland, B.C.