Fredericton The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is asking the Lord Government to let the citizens decide about the value of The Provincial Health Care Plan announced this week, and to call an election.
The Lord government has no mandate from the citizens of this province to slash the health care system, said David Rouse, President of CUPE New Brunswick.
A year ago during the election campaign, the Lord Government said that prosperity begins with better health care for New Brunswick families and seniors. The Premier also stated in its electoral platform that publicly-funded and delivered health care, as set out in the Canada Health Act, is a New Brunswick priority and a Canadian value they share.
“At no time did he tell the population that he was going to cut beds and close hospitals, said Rouse. Cuts to health care services in any area is not an improvement, and will certainly not help the economy.
Over the last decade, the number of beds has drastically been reduced in New Brunswick. The Government slashed close to 900 beds and now they are closing another 300 beds. “Cuts to hospital beds will mean patients will not have services in their communities it is as simple as that. Stretchers on the highway are not a substitute for community-based care”, said Rouse.
The government is hiding the truth in its document entitled “Healthy Futures”. A hand-picked committee of bureaucrats will do the study of services, and we know what that means they plan to cut more services and that means cuts to health care,” said Rouse.
The Provincial Health Care Plan is just a way for government to cut services and jobs, concluded Rouse, and it is unacceptable.
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For more information:
David Rouse CUPE NB President (506) 789-8840