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We’re not playing politics with health care

Published on October 16, 2012
Published on October 16, 2012
Topics :
Charles L. Legrow Health Care Foundation , Department of Health and Community

I am writing in response to the Telegram’s Oct. 12 editorial, headlined “A chronic disease.”

In this editorial, the author is suggesting that the provincial government is playing politics with health-care foundation funding. This insinuation is troubling and furthermore it demeans the tireless work carried out by the volunteers who help ensure that health-care foundations reach their goals.

Health-care foundations throughout the province play an important role in complementing the health-care system by raising money to help meet the needs of their local regional health authority. As part of their fundraising efforts, they reach out to donors throughout the province, including the provincial government.

The Department of Health and Community Services receives requests annually to support these causes; we provided $858,000 to various health-care foundations in 2011-12. The requests that are received are evaluated on their merits and the priorities of the regional health authorities. They are not solicited by the department. The core principle of this approach is based on the health-care foundation making the request.

At the time of the Dr. Charles L. Legrow Health Care Foundation radiothon, no such request had been made to the department. However, since this issue has been raised publicly, I have been informed that a request has been made by this health-care foundation. That request is now being evaluated as per our established process.

The fundraising work carried out by the Dr. Charles L. Legrow Health Care Foundation and all of the health-care foundations in our province is invaluable. They really do make a difference in the lives of the people of the province.

Our government does not play politics with the health of our residents. The choices we make are in the best interests of our communities, regions and the province overall.  

Susan Sullivan, minister  

Health and Community Services

Comments

  • Username
    Ron Tizzard
    - October 28, 2012 at 10:46:59

    Minister, I am prepared to accept YOUR statement, albeit from your very 'comfortable pew', and still with some trepidation i.e. that "Our government does not play politics with the health of our residents". That's only because I trust you, personally i.e. from your personal hands-on, eyes-on government perspective that 'government does not play politics with the health, globally, of our residents'. But, let me say, from my very PERSONAL experience with 'some' very highly placed Bureaucrtes and several Ministers, through time, and they are still there, that the 'THE VIRUS OF DISTRUST" in this province on the part of the residents, towards elected representatives is founded on a solid foundation of (their) personal experience. Generally, people who go public with their concerns i.e. on the radio, in the Telegram etc., are 'normal people, WITH LEGITIMATE CONCERNS', driven, forced to go public and position themselves to be depicted as selfish '**** disturbers, with baseless concerns. More often than not, these people just need to be heard, should be heard, with some semblence of respect. My personal saga, encounter with 'politicians, Ministers, their minions etc., etc. wuld be a classic to read. Final note, sometimes, I am beginning to believe, that there are some highly placed bureaucrats and Ministers who are very gullible, walking through 'terms of office' wearing 'rose coloured glasses', otherwise they would be resigning positions, or medicating themselves with sleeping pills, tagamet, or some other variety of gastric disorder remedy. Minister, somehow, I trust you, personally i.e. that you mean well; that said, people continue to be dismissed by some very conscienceless Ministers, and their minions of government. One could argue that the highest levels of government operate form a 'pack-mentality' i.e. one for all, and all for one'.

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  • Username
    W McLean
    - October 16, 2012 at 16:26:28

    "Our government does not play politics with the health of our residents." How quickly they forget the Straits and White Bay North by-election...

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    • Username
      Ben
      - October 16, 2012 at 19:09:09

      If you are talking about the air ambulance you should research that a little further.

  • Username
    Nothing could be further....
    - October 16, 2012 at 11:44:35

    Absolutely, And while we're on the topic of honest and upstanding, does anybody want to buy a bridge?

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