NDP concerned Ford’s health ‘realignment’ will mean cuts to health care

NICKEL BELT – NDP Health critic France Gélinas released the following statement Friday after the Ford government announced it will undertake a ‘realignment’ in health care:

“We’ll have more to say about these changes when more details emerge, but it’s safe to say we have real concerns about the nature of this ‘realignment.’

Since taking office, the Ford Conservatives have been warning Ontarians that deep cuts are coming to the services that matter most – it’s reasonable for families to be concerned that this restructuring will be the beginning of staff, budget, and program cuts throughout our health and long-term care systems.

Mr. Ford’s government has already cut funding to mental health services by $330 million per year. Now, it’s being rolled in with other responsibilities, including French language services. That makes us worried that these critical services are being put on the back-burner. People are reminded of the last time a Conservative government in Ontario undertook a realignment of health care: they let 6,000 nurses go, and closed 28 hospitals and over 7,000 hospital beds.

New Democrats will continue to advocate for real investment in our health care system because patients and families need shorter waits and an end to hallway medicine – not cuts that make things go from bad to worse.”