PrintUNA joins public interest groups in recommending improvements to home care
Thirteen member organizations of Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors Task Force have developed a detailed set of recommendations on home care that they are calling on the provincial government to adopt.
Home care has been a hot political issue since Health Minister Fred Horne announced major changes to home care services without the consulting clients or providers who currently operate within the system.
In past weeks, Minister Horne has backtracked on the decision to eliminate a few home care contracts and has just recently promised to consult with Albertans. However, he has not yet clarified how he intends to consult with Albertans or if he will reverse the plans for corporate control of home care.
UNA President calls for renewal of Canada Health Accord
At a press conference announcing the home care recommendations, United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith spoke about the importance of a strong federal role in health care and the need for a renewed Canada Health Accord in 2014. The current ten-year accord, which expires next year, provides significant funding from the federal government to the provinces for health care.
With provincial leaders gathering at the Council of the Federation meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake on July 24-26, Smith urged the Premiers to to use the meeting to discuss the future of the Canada Health Accord to fund provincial health care, such as home care and seniors care.
