Protecting public health care has never been more important

We are at a turning point in Canadian health care—a time of both challenges and opportunities. We need bold solutions to meet today’s challenges and to harness tomorrow’s opportunities. It is time for all parliamentarians to support our government’s ambitious efforts to ensure that Canada’s public health-care system moves into the 21st century, and remains a source of pride and a reflection of who we are as Canadians. Access to quality health care is of paramount importance. However, with the difficulties facing the health sector, the industry's workforce has been significantly impacted, and access to health practitioners has become more challenging. As an MP and parliamentary secretary to the minister of health, I have spoken with many health professionals, and they have told me the same thing: “We need more staff." Our government is taking action on this front. We have provided funding to provinces and territories to invest in key shared health priorities, including the health workforce, through the Working Together agreements, and have partnered with the provinces and territories on commitments to streamline the foreign credential recognition process. Budget 2024 includes $77.1-million over four years to help effectively integrate internationally educated health-care professionals into this country's health workforce. It also commits to an expansion of the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness program to encourage new graduates to set up practices in rural Canada. This has the potential to have an enormous impact on our rural communities. Another significant obstacle that we have seen is the cost of essential medication. We have an important opportunity to make a real difference by passing Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare. The bill proposes the foundational principles for the first phase of national universal pharmacare in Canada, and outlines collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders to develop universal, single-payer coverage for a range of contraception and diabetes medications. The cost of birth control is a significant barrier for women and gender-diverse Canadians. Passing Bill C-64 will mean that nine million Canadians of reproductive age will have greater access to reproductive autonomy. At a time when our neighbours to the south are seeing a political effort to remove their right to bodily autonomy, we must remain firm in our support of the right to choose. Eliminating barriers to accessing contraceptives is a necessary step forward. Similarly, I believe that improving access to diabetes medications should be common sense as it will help improve the health of 3.7 million Canadians. One in four Canadians with diabetes have reported not following their treatment plan because it is too expensive. This is dangerous, and can lead to serious health complications like blindness or amputations. Voting in favour of Bill C-64 is the right thing to do. Yet we have already heard the opposition use words like “terrifying” and “fantasy land” to describe the bill. Canadians do not want their uninsured neighbours to ration their insulin, or be more likely to face unwanted pregnancies. Spreading falsehoods on life-changing legislation like Bill C-64 is not only damaging to our public health system, but it also sends a terrible message to Canadians whose lives depend on it. Finally, modernizing our health-care system means investing in innovations that will increase the safety and quality of the care that Canadians receive. We are committed to working collaboratively with provinces and territories to improve healthcare services. With the recent completion of all 13 Working Together Bilateral Agreements, we are on the right path. Provinces and territories will receive nearly $200-billion over the next 10 years to improve healthcare across Canada. Through our partnerships, we will also achieve advancement in digital health through the Joint Action Plan on Health Data and Digital Health and the Pan-Canadian Health Data Charter. Further, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and other federal partners will receive $505-million over five years to contribute to a world-class health data and digital health system. These investments will make a difference in the lives of our constituents. As a father, I want to be confident that our public healthcare system will be ready to support the next generation of Canadians. I want my children to grow up and be able to readily access their own electronic health records and be active participants in their care. I also want them to continue to use their health card—not their credit card—when they visit their doctor’s office. The bold and relentless actions our government is taking makes me hopeful for the advancement of public healthcare in Canada. Through these initiatives, our government is working to both improve access to and quality of healthcare and working conditions for health professionals. National pharmacare will be extended to 3.7 million Canadians with diabetes and nine million Canadians of reproductive age. All provinces and territories have signed on to a 10-year deal to receive $200-billion from the Government of Canada for healthcare services. There’s always more to do, but our government is pushing for progress and sustainable solutions to keep our public healthcare system running smoothly. We are on a path to change millions of lives and members of Parliament of all stripes should be working to strengthen public health care—not diminish it. Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre in 2021. He previously served as parliamentary secretary to the president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and minister of emergency preparedness. The Hill Times

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Protecting public health care has never been more important

National pharmacare will be extended to 3.7 million Canadians with diabetes and nine million Canadians of reproductive age.

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