ABBOTSFORD ISSUES

Canadians are grateful to have a universal health care system that provides them with essential health care services regardless of one's ability to pay.  Our Conservative government remains committed to publicly-funded universal health care but also recognizes that the system faces very real challenges: a shortage of family doctors; inefficient service delivery; escalating costs; lengthy wait times; and an aging population.

Since 2006, we've worked hard to meet those challenges.  Despite tough economic times, we've increased our federal health transfers to the provinces by 6% per year, twice the rate of inflation.

In 2006, our budget introduced enhancedassistance for persons with disabilities. Our Conservative government increased the maximum annual Child Disability Benefit from $2,044 to $2,300. The maximum amount of refundable medical expense supplements was alsoincreased from $767 to $1,000 in order to improve access to needed medications. To promote the implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, we invested $52 millionintoHealth Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. 

To further protect the health and safety of Canadians, our government provided $33 million over two years to ensure greater safety of natural health products. Safety in laboratories has been enhanced with $9 million invested in dealing with viruses and bacteria.

As health begins with citizens, our Conservative government has provided $25 million over two years to better inform Canadians on the links between environmental contaminants and illness. We have exemptedfrom HST a list of medical and assistive devices andtraining which helpsindividuals cope with disabilities such as autism.  We have also expanded the list of eligible medical expenses under the Medical Expense Tax Credit. 

In 2007, our government established a patient wait times guarantee forspecific medically necessary servicesin each province. This guarantee is the first step in ensuringthat all Canadians receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.  Canadians will be guaranteed timely access to health care in at least one of the following priority areas:cancer care, hip and knee replacement, cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, cataract surgeries andprimary care.  This project to improve the timeliness of health care involved an investment of $612 million for the Patient Wait Times Guaranteeand$30 million for the wait times pilot project. 

Our Conservative government is dedicated to helping those who need care and support. With the 2008 Budget, our government provided $100 million to the Mental Health Commission of Canada to support innovative projects to develop the best practices to help Canadians facing mental health and homelessness challenges. In addition, we delivered $3 million to the No Child Without program, providing free Medic-Alert bracelets to children with serious medical conditions.

In order to advance the use of health information technology across Canada, our Conservative government's 2009 Budget allocated $500 million to the Canada Health Infoway for electronic records.  This budget also included an investment of $305 million over two years to improve health outcomes from First Nations and Inuit people.

In our 2011 budget, Finance Minister Jim Flahertyannounced incentives to assistrural communities by helping health care providers who go to underserved rural communities. We are encouraging health care workers to practice in remote communities, including many First Nations and Inuit areas, to ensure that they receive an improved level ofservice. To this end, practicing family physicians will be eligible for federal Canada Student Loan forgiveness of up to $8,000 per year to a maximum of $40,000. Nurse practitioners and nurses will be eligible for federal Canada Student Loan forgiveness of up to $4,000 per year to a maximum of $20,000. These strong actions help all Canadians get the care they expect and deserve.

Our government will continue to support and enable innovative approaches to health care delivery consistent with the principles of a universally accessible and equitable public health care system embodied in the Canada Health Act.We are taking direct action to build a stronger, safer, healthier and better Canada for us all.

For more information please visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php.