TORONTO, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - In a speech today at the Empire Club of Canada, Canadian Medical Association (CMA) President Dr. Jeff Turnbull will urge the federal government to take inspiration from its Economic Action Plan and develop a Canada Health Care Action Plan to avert the looming crisis that awaits patients and their families.
Dr. Turnbull will make the case that federal leadership is required immediately to secure a sustainable future for Canada's health care system, and will set out how Canadians can get their voices heard on this important issue.
"As a federal election appears imminent, it will take political courage to take this issue on. But the national consultation we have initiated leaves no doubt that this is a priority for Canadians and ignoring health care during an election campaign would be foolhardy," Dr. Turnbull said.
Dr. Turnbull also said the creation of a Canada Health Care Action Plan would focus government leadership and action where it is needed most right now: on the future of the health care system.
"When the global recession loomed, threatening our country's prosperity and our citizen's well-being, the federal government leapt into action creating Canada's Economic Action Plan," said Dr. Turnbull. "Today, Canadians are saying that health care is as big a concern as the economy and they want action now."
The CMA's national dialogue on health care transformation, launched in December, continues to gather the voices of Canadians on health care. Through the www.healthcaretransformation.ca national dialogue website, and a series of public town hall meetings occurring across the country Canadians continue to weigh in on what they want from their health care system.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care. The CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing over 74,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations.
For further information:
Lucie Boileau, Manager, Media Relations
lucie.boileau@cma.ca
Tel. : 1 800 663-7336 / 613 731-8610 ext. 1266
Cell. : 613 447-0866