Improving Universal Health Care
Following up on my update from February 7th, today I’d like to highlight some of the steps our government has taken to improve our universal health care system:
Launched the Canadian Dental Care Plan to provide dental care coverage for 9 million uninsured Canadians who have an annual family income of less than $90,000. So far over 1.5 million Canadians have already received care while 3 million Canadians have been approved for coverage.
Created Canada’s first-ever National Dementia Strategy, to support Canadians living with dementia and the family and friends who provide care.
Invested in provincial health care systems to reduce wait times, improve access to family health teams, and ensure seniors have access to safe, respectful and high-quality care when needed.
Investing $100 million to promote mental health and prevent mental illness in populations disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19, including seniors and creating the Wellness Together app to connect Canadians to a wide variety of professionals for confidential support.
Improved eligibility criteria for access to the Disability Tax Credit to support even more Canadian seniors. For 2021 and later tax years, it is estimated that an additional 45,000 people will qualify for the Disability Tax Credit and related benefit programs linked to its eligibility each year.
Launched a framework to create the first phase of national universal pharmacare in Canada – which will mean free prescription contraceptives and diabetes medication.
Our government doesn’t just talk about helping seniors to retire with dignity – we’ve taken real action that acknowledges their hard work in building the Canada we know and love today.
But when it comes to investing in health care, not all politicians agree. In 2012, Pierre Poilievre stood next to then Prime Minister Stephen Harper and voted to slash $43.5 billion in health care transfers to provinces and territories. In 2023, he voted to cut $196.1 billion of critical funding that was directed at reducing surgery and emergency room wait times. Poilievre also voted to stop the Canadian Dental Care Plan which has already helped 1.5 million Canadians see the dentist. These cuts are dangerous, and they would make us all worse off.
What matters most to you? Please reach out anytime.
Warmly,
Jenna
