Nova Scotia Support for Seniors Adopted by all Provinces

PREMIER'S OFFICE/HEALTH--Nova Scotia Support for Seniors Adopted by all Provinces

Health Minister Jane Purves is pleased Canada's premiers have agreed to press Ottawa to provide increased support for seniors residential care.

At the conclusion of their meeting today, Jan. 23, in Toronto, premiers urged new investments in home and community care, including services at long-term care facilities. Since last spring, the Nova Scotia government has urged the federal government to consider home care and the medical portion of long- term care as a medically necessary service.

"Our seniors deserve the same quality of health care as every other Canadian," said Ms. Purves. "As a government we're investing tens of millions of dollars more to improve care for seniors in Nova Scotia, while Ottawa presently contributes nothing. Getting support from Ottawa towards our efforts will help implement Nova Scotia's plan of better care for seniors and less financial stress for them and their families."

Premiers also urged the federal government to immediately restore Ottawa's share of health care funding to 18 per cent, from the current 14 per cent. That would bring the federal share to what it was 10 years ago. The prime minister will meet with premiers at a first ministers' meeting Feb. 4-5 in Ottawa.

"Like other provinces, Nova Scotia has a plan to improve health care, putting more doctors and nurses at the bedsides and reducing wait lists. As part of that plan, we gave our hospitals the stable, increased funding they need over the next several years," said Ms. Purves. "It's time for Ottawa to do the same so we can stop fighting about money every year and continue to focus more on better care."

Premiers also agreed to press Ottawa to establish a long-term funding formula that would ensure new funding keeps pace with future health care demands.

"As our population ages, seniors and their families should have peace of mind in knowing they will get the care and support they need," said Ms. Purves. "This new funding approach would give our governments the resources needed for the generations of today and tomorrow."