Pharmacare and free dental care are both wonderful ideas, according to provincial New Democrats. Both were ideas unleashed this month in the Liberal budget.
So, it’s not the policies with which the NDP has a quarrel – particularly Pekka Reinio, who will be wearing orange in the newly-created riding of Barrie-Innisfil in the June 7 election – it’s just that the timing of announcing such health-care changes reeks of political cynicism and opportunism.
The Liberals of Dalton McGuinty, and later Kathleen Wynne, “have had 15 years to implement these ideas if that’s what they actually believed (in them), but they chose not to,” Reinio tells Barrie Today. “This is a last-ditch election ploy. I have no faith that they will actually do these things. (The NDP’s) Andrea Horwath is the only leader who says what she will do, and then does it.”
Reinio cites the case of an Innisfil woman.
“Tina Barrett was diagnosed with cervical cancer nearly seven years ago,” quoting an NDP news release of earlier this week. “The treatment left her with difficulties when using the washroom and so for the past seven years, she has been in and out of the hospital dealing with colostomy and nephrostomy tubes that often become blocked and require surgery to correct.”
Recently, though, Barrett and her husband learned of a Toronto-based specialist who may be able to help her regain control over her body. The problem is that the Barretts have heard no word as to when they can get an appointment. To Reinio, wait times are an especially troubling symptom of what’s wrong with our health-care system.
And Reinio sees this as a major priority for a New Democratic government.
”In terms of addressing hospital overcrowding, we will provide reliable base funding that keep pace with inflation, population growth and the unique needs of communities like Barrie and Innisfil. Our universal pharmacare and dental plan will relieve stress on our emergency rooms.
“When people can actually take the medications prescribed by their doctors,” Reinio explains further, “they are much less likely to need treatment in our ER. Also, every three minutes in
He asserts, “We would start implementing our plan immediately when we form the government.”
Andrea Horwath introduced her party’s plans to create the first universal pharmacare program, and a dental care program that covers everyone, because, says Reinio, “no one should have to empty their wallet to get the medicine or dental care they need. Providing drug and dental coverage for everyone – regardless of age, income or health history – can also play a role in relieving stress on hospitals and specialists, and improve wait times.”
Nor does Reinio see even a glimmer of hope from the Doug Ford Progressive Conservatives, hearkening back to the policies of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves.
“The PC party is offering nothing but more cuts, to the tune of $6.1 billion at least. Over the last 20 years, Conservatives have shown an eagerness to cut and privatize (hospitals, nurses, Hydro and Highway 407 for example).”
The Tories have named Andrea Khanjin as a candidate in Barrie-Innisfil.
Reinio, taking on Liberal incumbent Ann Hoggarth in Barrie-Innisfil, concludes, “It’s time to stop choosing between bad and worse when it comes to health care. Folks like the Barretts suffer when we choose bad or worse. Our NDP message is ‘Change for the Better’ and that's exactly what we will provide the people of Barrie and Innisfil.”
The provincial election is set for Thursday, June 7.
