Ontario

A plan for health care [from the Speech from the Throne read March 8, 2010.]

In Ontario, we care for our people.

In Ontario, no one who gets sick is turned away.

In Ontario, quality health care is one more thing families don't have to worry about, and one more advantage we have over the competition.

Your government has strengthened that advantage.

In the last six years, 900,000 more Ontarians got access to a family doctor.

More international doctors got their licence to practise here.

The first nurse practitioner-led clinics in North America are opening their doors.

Because Ontarians believe in lifting one another up, and caring for one another — we have shorter wait times for cancer surgeries.

We have faster care at emergency rooms.

And improved and expanded hospitals.

Your government has acted because Ontarians demand, expect and deserve public health care that is second to none.

Your government remains focused on reducing emergency wait times, and achieving results in diabetes and e-health in communities across Ontario.

In the past, the question facing Ontarians was: "will health care be there for me and my children?"

Ontarians have answered that question with a resounding: yes.

Together, we are absolutely committed to a strong public health care system.

But today we face new challenges that require a new plan.

Just 20 years ago, 32 cents of every dollar spent on government programs were spent on health care.

Today, it is 46 cents.

In 12 years, it could be 70 cents.

So, the question now facing Ontarians is: "how do we fund the best health care without crowding out all the other priorities we share — like investing in our schools, helping our vulnerable, protecting our environment, and investing in infrastructure and economic development?"

That is a discussion that will happen, sooner or later, in every Canadian province and territory.

Your government believes Ontario needs to lead that national dialogue, and will engage Ontarians directly in this important conversation.

Ontario will lead by pursuing a path of constant reform to ensure that the health system — and all our vital public services — are there for our children and grandchildren.

Your government will begin this process by keeping drugs affordable to keep Ontarians healthy, and reinvest the savings in health care.

It will introduce legislation to make health care providers and executives accountable for improving patient care.

Your government will build on the success of the wait time reduction strategy by ensuring that — for more and more services — money will follow the patient.

Patients will have greater choice about where they can access the best quality treatment.

Your government will create an independent, expert advisory body to provide recommendations on clinical practice guidelines.

It will ensure that future investments get results and improve patient health.

Your government will review the Public Hospitals Act and introduce legislation to create a hospital system that taps into the expertise of community partners and all health care professionals.

To ensure our health services are meeting the needs of all citizens, Ontario's francophone community will have better input into the planning of French-language health services in their communities.

Your government will work with the public and private sectors to develop a strategy to promote better health for our children.

Ontario's health system not only provides world class care for patients — but develops leading-edge treatments and research.

Open Ontario will export that expertise to the world while providing quality care at home.

Ontario. Speech from the Throne (part) March 9, 2010 taken from http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/throneSpeech.php