Medicare

MGEU/NUPGE paramedic members encouraged to attend hearing on self-regulation on May 23 in Winnipeg.

Proposed changes to the Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder provisions of the Criminal Code have been done without adequate consultation and may further stigmatize people with mental health and addictions problems.

Come out to this eight city tour through Manitoba and Ontario to show your support.

Workers come together to organize against Harper's harmful EI changes.

"The money is there to continue funding the Health Accord. This is more about the Harper government's right wing ideology than cost cutting." NUPGE President James Clancy.

Critical report released on youth and children's mental health in B.C.

"Our members are passionate about the work that they do and are very proud to support the future of that work here at Casey House," said Mackinnon.

Alternative Federal Budget plan tackles Canadians' real concerns.

“Given alcohol’s status as the leading risk factor for ill-health, injury and disability in North America” much more needs to be done, according to the researchers.

“The inability for on-call paramedics to immediately respond to an emergency situation could have devastating and tragic results." - Carol Furlong.

Research has shown that women shift workers exposed to light at night are at increased risk for breast cancer. 

Ready, set, record!

It's about shoring up one of the basic human rights supporting a fair and prosperous Canada. But ultimately, it's about saving lives.

The public has a right to know and needs to know result of HQCA investigation.

Health-care union fears other programs may be cut.

More specialized health care positions needed to ensure access to health care.

“It is time for the Saskatoon Health Region to be more accountable to the public and policymakers for its under-staffing of addictions and mental health services, and the unfair pressure this creates on other public services, including the police.” - Karen Wasylenko President Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan

"Albertans have made it clear time after time that they favour a fairer tax system over a failing health-care system,” says Ballermann.

“Kids diagnosed with autism need immediate and intensive therapy. But it’s not just children with autism who are waiting for therapy,” Johnson said.

Closure of Kelowna’s Crossroads Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centre would leave Okanagan residents without any substance abuse treatment services outside of a hospital setting.

Two important events may shape the future of Medicare: the expiration of the Health Accord in 2014 and the federal election in 2015.

In response, Unions representing health science professionals issue 72 hours strike notice. But no job action is being planned at this time.

College of Licensed Practical Nurses verifies that there has been a significant increase in the responsibilities of LPNs in their professional role within province's health care system.

“When you take away those dollars in the name of austerity and deficit-busting, a child and their family are negatively impacted.  Is this the sort of legacy our government has chosen to adopt?” - OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Harper government giving into European drug patent demands during free trade negotiations. Move could raise drug prices in Canada by as much as $1 billion.

Those facing mental health issues need more support, not less.

“It is one thing to have the new strategies released in May of this year; it is another for them to be fully implemented and making a difference in people’s lives.” - Joan Jessome, Coalition Co-Chairperson.

NAPE’s concerns regarding the Protective Community Residence in Lewisporte is a prime example of the negative impact that cuts are having on our province’s healthcare system.

Research finds that the EU proposal would likely add an average life of 2.66 years to a typical drug patent increasing Canadian drug costs by between $795 million and $1.95 billion annually.

Hospital, nursing home and diagnostic treatment centre and emergency health workers who play a vital role in ensuring the health British Columbians resume negotiations for a fair deal.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is encouraging Canadians to take the opportunity on World Mental Health Day to learn more about mental illness, as well as ways to promote positive mental health.

“The IFH Program is in disarray and being mismanaged and the health of all refugees is being placed at risk,” said Dr. Philip Berger, Chief of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital.

“We fully expect that the negative impact on our healthcare system will only worsen in the foreseeable future if the current trend of cutbacks is not stopped,” continued Furlong.

"It is not the inexorable march of global economics alone, but rather choices – choices in public budgets, and in economic and social policy – that have failed to rein in the increasing income inequality distributed by the private market and aided in propelling us down this path."

With Europe in a financial crisis the question remains how far is Canada willing to go to achieve a deal?

Heart surgery cancellations a clear message that shortages in health science professions can no longer be ignored by BC government.

During Premier's meeting, Nova Scotia Citizen's Health Care Network holds press conference to outline their vision to improve Canada's public health care system.

"The people of the province expect and deserve a health care system they can they have confidence in and depend on when needed." - Carol Furlong, NAPE President.

On July 18 Canadians will be sending provincial premiers and the Harper government a message to resume negotiations on the 2014 Health Accord.

Health Care Heroes: They don't have super-powers, but they share the power of caring.

Nova Scotia Citizens’ Health Network see proposed changes to the Health Services and Insurance Act as significant step forward.

The coalition wants the Minister of Children and Youth Services to meet with Thistletown parents as a group, make public a detailed plan for transition and commit to long-term funding to replicate Thistletown’s services. 

"The national poll on attitudes of Canadians towards their health care system revealed that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want improvements to our health care system, not cuts." - Caro

“The government is trying to save money by sending inappropriate inspectors out to conduct inspections they are not trained for,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President. “This completely undermines the process.”

"Minister Kenney is shielding a racist policy under cost-cutting austerity measures and allegations of abuse." - James Clancy, National President, NUPGE

Stand up for democracy by joining the June 13 protest agains tthe Conservative's budget bill.

The transportation sector accounts for 40 per cent of B.C. climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions.

NAPE/NUPGE members demonstrate against cuts at Eastern Health.

As of June 30, refugees in Canada will be cut off access to treatment for chronic diseases. No other Canadians are denied these treatments.

During April, the Not Myself Today campaign intends to mobilize all Canadians in a movement to transform the way we think about, act towards and support mental health.

National Union urges Ministers of Health to take strong action to build and expand upon a national publicly funded and delivered mental health system.

Members of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) gathered in Victoria this week to discuss the ongoing Health Accord negotiations and various labour relations and professional practice issues. They were joined by representatives from the B.C Hospital Employees' Union.

"Once again, the Harper government has shown that it prefers to dictate rather than negotiate," said James Clancy, NUPGE National President. "Their unilateral decision to cutback billions of dollars in health transfer payments will have serious negative consequences in terms of the accessibility and quality of health care across the country."

Dignity Denied 2011 illustrates the flaws in our current system of long-term care and offers common sense solutions for positive change.

NAPE/NUPGE's campaign to save the jobs of LPNs working for Eastern Health has made progress.

"The first thing we should be looking at is tax fairness rather than cutting social programs like Medicare." - Elisabeth Ballerman, CHPS Co-Chair and HSAA President.

As Canada’s Ministers of Health prepare to meet in Halifax a new Nanos poll finds nearly 90% of Canadians want to see the Harper government invest more in health care with a focus on the recruitment of health care professionals.

"We need to work together to force them to put people before tax cuts and excessive corporate profits." - James Clancy, NUPGE President.

"This is an opportunity to thank our seniors who have done so much to build our city and our community,” said Trevor Morin, Local 1101 President.

"They are simply asking for the same protection as other fire fighters and for the ability to access protection should they become victims of such occupational hazards." - Carol Furlong, NAPE President.

“People shouldn't have to suffer in silence. Our country is seriously lacking the support systems and services needed to help people with mental health problems," James Clancy, National President, NUPGE.

"We have trouble understanding why government would not agree to a proposal that puts the needs of cancer patients first." - Kenton Emery, SGEU agreement administration advisor.

“As health professionals LPNs are an integral part of the health care team. The inability to recruit and retain LPNs will have a major impact on our health care system.” - Carol Furlong, president NAPE/NUPGE.

"This is as blatant a conflict-of-interest as I’ve ever seen.” - Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president.

“Lip service to health care is not enough,” says Natalie Mehra, director of the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC). “Ontarians need clear commitments on the key issues that matter in our communities.”

Despite lobbying efforts by Big Pharma, new report by Edward M. Iacobucci, the Osler Chair in Business Law at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, indicates that no changes are needed.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports cost of elder care could triple in next forty years.

Ontarians urged to "Take a Stand" for youth mental health.

"The call for standardized RCW education is now more important than ever," asserts PEIUPSE President Shelley Ward. "Patient safety and care depends on successful collaboration between health care professionals."

“Outpatient x-rays are a source of much-needed revenue for the hospital. And they want to give them away to the for-profit clinics? That’s wrong.”

According to Global Compass Group, the lobby firm hired by Koch Industries to represent its interests, it will focus on issues ranging from taxation policy, energy and resource and economic development.

“A full public inquiry would be just the ticket to restore public confidence in our system," said David Eggen, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.

NUPGE President James Clancy criticized the Harper government for sending a review of the 2004 Health Accord to the unelected Senate rather than allowing elected Members of Parliament to conduct public hearings.

Our members are already facing stretched workloads trying to deal with patients having greater health needs than ever before,” said Jessome. “No additional funding will make the situation in our health facilities even worse, especially in light of rising costs and the aging population.”

Study highlights concerns raised by NUPGE that big pharmaceutical companies were lobbying governments for proposals that would drive up profits and health care costs.

Province already facing shortage of doctors, nurses and health care practitioners, says medical society.

'We demand that our public health care system be protected and not secretly dismantled by the Stelmach government.'

Episode underscores HSAA position in demanding action now to deal with provincial ER crisis.

'This is a great opportunity to voice your support for Medicare and send a message about the kind of health care system you want!'

Take two minutes to e-mail Prime Minister Stephen Harper demanding that the Canada Health Act be enforced.

"Our Tax Dollars - Our Health Centre ... Open the Doors, Turn On All the Lights!'

14 young people have taken their lives in the Sarnia area alone this year.

Situation so bad in Alberta that some patients are dialing 9-1-1 while they wait in emergency for treatment.

Despite an aging population, Canadian health care costs are not growing as fast as they used to, according to a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

Legal opinion commissioned by Alberta Federation of Labour says proposed changes are "not consistent with a democratic society."

B.C. Health Coalition report says 'explosion' of for-profit clinics jeopardizing equality and fairness of the health care system.

'There will be a less safe environment in Canadian penitentiaries.' - Howard Sapers.

Bed counts will drop to nearly half over the next four years despite a doubling of patients with dementia in the coming years, union says.

'Right now lives are being put at risk. It’s that simple.' - Chris Broughton, MGEU Local 911.

Released after 12 months of hearings, workshops and submissions from Alberta groups and citizens.

Employees fighting freeze say money saved in wages would be scooped up by long-term care executives and private shareholders.

Canadian Health Coalition says ‘affordability’ no longer an excuse for inaction.

'It is crucial that businesses make mental health and well-being a priority to prevent disability in the first place.'

'Laid-off workers have not received their severance entitlements despite an employment standards regulation requiring the employer to pay out all wages within 48 hours.' - BCGEU.

'We're calling on the federal government to drop the current action they have in the Supreme Court.'

Saskatchewan Party government eroding public health care system, say critics.

Municipalities across the province are being urged to support a resolution by Victoria and New Westminster at UBCM meeting in September.

Many Americans going without health care as private insurance companies continue to jack up premiums to pay for exorbitant CEO salaries and lobbyists.

'The genie is out of the bottle and no matter how hard he tries the premier won’t ever get it back in.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Niagara-Haldimand-Brant LHIN held meetings 'that were clearly illegal,' says André Marin.

Health and finance ministers instructed to design national plan following summer meetings by first ministers in Winnipeg.

“The promises of shorter wait times, of innovation, and of cost savings have just evaporated. In the end, I'm prepared to bet that Alberta tax payers will be paying a whole lot more than we would have if we had never travelled down this slippery slope,” Elisabeth Ballermann.

New report concludes that the health of Canadians is much less determined by the health care system than we typically think. Much more important are public policies that influence our living conditions.  

NUPGE president James Clancy says the acrimonious U.S.health care debate offers a welcome reminder that Canada’s national Medicare program is a triumph of both values and economics.

Ignores restrictions imposed by Canada's top court when sections of Bill 29 were struck down as unconstitutional.

Canadian Health Coalition celebrating 30th anniversary defending Medicare and campaigning for a national pharmacare program.

Private delivery of services should not even be considered, says Canadian Health Coalition.

"We're honoured that they have chosen to join our organization for the security and certainty of a union contract." BCGEU president Darryl Walker

Some LPNs are even worried that the program has been set up in a manner that will prevent them from succeeding.

The private consultants behind the eHealth spending scandal weren’t able to contain themselves from pinching the public purse for every last dime." - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

804 people surveyed across the province in mid-September by NRG Research Group.

'We all need to learn more about the burden of mental illness on individuals, families and our society and try to raise awareness and advocate on behalf of those Canadians who are suffering in silence.' - James Clancy.

MRI wait lists already at unacceptable levels across Alberta. Decision will impact the lives of patients who are battling life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer or significant trauma.

Casual, part time and temporary lists depleted to the point where there is nobody to call when staff are sick. Resulting in overworked staff who are susceptible to burnout.

'Our findings are frightening. Unless you're Warren Buffett, your family is just one serious illness away from bankruptcy.' - Harvard's Dr. David Himmelstein.

Detailed document on party health care positions compiled by the B.C. Health Coalition.

Fee charged to patients will be replaced with 'tray fee' paid by Alberta Health Care Insurance.

'Sandwich generation' needs help coping simultaneously with children and aging parents.'

Five million Canadians provide care for their loved ones with long-term health problems.

Canadian Health Coalition challenges CMA president Dr. Robert Ouellet to stop misleading Canadians about private, for-profit health care.

'[It] starts with the assumption that the conditions of work are the conditions for care.'

'The absence of a staffing standard has already compromised quality care in the drive to maximize profits.'

Message to Premier Dalton McGuinty: Please fund our hospitals adequately to resolve their deficits and stop the cuts.

By Larry Brown
National Secretary-Treasurer
National Union of Public and General Employees

Health Council of Canada reviews progress since historic agreement by Canada's first ministers

'We can't stand still. We can either go back or we can go forward. The choice we make today will decide the future of Medicare in Canada.' - Tommy Douglas

'The National Union has set out a 10-step plan for addressing wait-times and putting our Medicare system on stable footing. This report suggests that we are on the right track.' – James Clancy, NUPGE president