(Waterloo) – Waterloo Region residents receive less provincial funding for their health services than other Ontarians. That’s the verdict of the Growing Communities Healthcare Alliance.
When compared to the average Ontarian, Waterloo Region residents receive $279 less per person in provincial funding for local hospital services. The Alliance says this translates into a $205 million annual operating funding gap for local hospitals such as St. Marys, Grand River and Cambridge Memorial Hospital.
Last summer, Dalton McGuinty launched his own fair share campaign for Ontarians. On his Fairness for Ontario website Dalton declared that “health care money is supposed to be divided equally among all Canadians.” Yet, on a per capita basis, Waterloo Region residents get less money than other Ontarians for their health services. Ask yourself, is Dalton McGuinty applying the same principle of fairness that he demanded from the Federal government?
“Although McGuinty’s health tax has taken $12.2 billion out of the pockets of hardworking families since 2004, the McGuinty government continues to short-change our community,” said local Member of Provincial Parliament, Elizabeth Witmer. “Where is our fair share of health care funding? I urge the Premier to live up to the same principle of fairness he demanded from Ottawa and introduce a funding formula based on demographics and the health needs of the population.”
KEY FACTS:
- On a per capita basis, the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) receives less funding than other LHINs for long-term care, community support services, hospitals and mental health services.
- Demand for health services will continue to increase, since it’s anticipated that between 2001 and 2031, the population of the Waterloo Wellington LHIN is expected to grow by 91%.
SOLUTION:
Witmer calls on the McGuinty government to provide the residents of Waterloo Region with their fair share of provincial health funding and introduce a funding formula based on demographics and the health needs of the population.
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For further information contact:
Elizabeth Witmer, MPP
(416) 325-1306
Backgrounder
Is this fair?
Federal Budget materials show that Ontario will receive $734 per resident under the Canada Health Transfer in 2009/2010, compared to $674 per resident in 2008/2009. This per capita funding increase puts Ontario on par with other provinces. As a result Ontario’s health system will receive an extra $878 million in 2009/2010. However, Dalton McGuinty has given no assurance this funding will be distributed in a fair and transparent manner.
Highlights from the Growing Communities Healthcare Alliance:
? Hospital funding per resident, by LHIN (2008/2009)
- The Waterloo-Wellington LHIN received $730 per resident.
- The average Ontario LHIN received $1,009 per resident.
o THE GAP = $279 per resident.
- The South West LHIN received the most with $2,281 per resident.
? Long-term care funding per resident age 75+, by LHIN (2008/2009)
- The Waterloo-Wellington LHIN received $2,917 per resident.
- The average Ontario LHIN received $3,249 per resident.
o THE GAP = $332 per resident.
- The North East LHIN received the most with $3,814 per resident.
? CCAC funding per resident age 65+, by LHIN (2008/2009)
- The Waterloo-Wellington LHIN received $947 per resident.
- The average Ontario LHIN received $999 per resident.
o THE GAP = $52 per resident.
- The North West LHIN received the most with $1,059 per resident.
? Community mental health funding per resident, by LHIN (2008/2009)
- The Waterloo-Wellington LHIN received $36 per resident.
- The average Ontario LHIN received $52 per resident.
o THE GAP = $16 per resident.
- The North West LHIN received the most with $117 per resident.
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