Changes proposed under the Ford government’s omnibus health-care legislation have prompted the local health coalition to host a meeting to discuss local impacts March 21 in the Redline Room at St. Clair College Arena in Chatham at 7 p.m.
The Ontario Health Coalition and Chatham-Kent Health Coalition are holding the town hall
meeting as part of an urgent Health Coalition campaign across the province regarding the creation of the new “Super Agency” and massive new health-care restructuring plans under the Ford government’s omnibus health care legislation, according to CKHC spokesperson Shirley Roebuck.
The Ontario government introduced Bill 74: The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 on Feb. 26. The bill’s purpose is to create the legislative framework for the Ontario government to achieve its objective of creating a new model for a patient-centric integrated public health care delivery system, according to the introductory section of the bill.
Roebuck said the new law is currently being rushed through the Ontario Legislature by the Ford government. The Coalitions are gearing up to protect local health care services — from hospitals to long-term care, to home care, to community care, and mental health care — from loss of control of local services, mega-mergers, and privatization.
“This new legislation has been forged in secret without public consultation and will have a profound impact on local services. The Town Hall meetings are open to all residents to come and ensure that local health care services remain public and under local control so that health care remains in the best interests of the people,” Roebuck said.
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.
