ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The three concerns Shirley raises are important to seniors across Newfoundland and Labrador. Where do seniors turn if they have been denied coverage for dentures, eye glasses and hearings aids?
Different governments have different policies that change over time. Figuring out what’s covered can be a challenge. I encourage every person who needs assistance to contact the office of your Member of the House of Assembly, where you will find people who understand the system and can provide assistance and advice. Even during the election campaign, there are people at these offices whose job is to provide nonpartisan guidance. While the current programs may be inadequate and you may already have been rejected, it is important to continue to press for satisfaction so it is clear how strong the demand is.
I am not prepared to make empty promises to win a vote. I will promise only what I reasonably expect to deliver. Having said this, I believe we have an obligation to assist those in need. Many of the chronic and costly health problems we see in our communities are the consequences of not doing more earlier by way of prevention. I believe early intervention can not only reduce costs, but — more importantly — improve people’s quality of life.
I am proposing that we develop a new Poverty Reduction Strategy to build on the tremendous work the previous strategy did a decade ago. When that program started, our province trailed the country. A decade later, we had the lowest rate of child poverty in Canada. National anti-poverty leaders said the strategy made the difference. The strategy involved broad suites of initiatives that addressed poverty in many different ways. The different ideas were considered by people with knowledge of the needs in the community and the benefits of each option. Better coverage of the kinds of things you mentioned would be considered under such a strategy. I think this is a sound, progressive approach that has been proven to work.
I am also proposing to give the province’s Seniors’ Advocate real, investigative powers that the Advocate lacks now. That office could change seniors’ lives by making sound recommendations based on evidence gathered in those investigations. If there is a gap in the system that is doing harm, we need to know about it and address it.
My approach to health care has been addressed in the media in recent days. Let me be clear. I do not intend to cut health care expenditures. But what I do intend to do is ensure every dollar we spend improves patients’ access to quality health services for better results. We spend almost $3 billion on health care — almost 40 percent of our total expenditures — but we continue to have some of the highest rates of chronic disease and poorest health outcomes in the country. We have the lowest life expectancy in Canada, the highest rate of heart disease, the highest rate of lifestyle associated cancers, the highest rate of diabetes. We’re spending more per person than any other province — yet patients have the worst outcomes. For patients in this province, that’s not good enough. It‘s got to change. I will not cut health care spending. What I will do is identify the waste so the money can be spent better – so patients get care sooner and get healthier instead of sicker. I will value the input of patients and those involved in the delivery of health care services. My approach is all about improving care for the people of our province.
Finally, we need to look at the greatest challenge we face as a province. Without jobs for our young people, our province is losing them. If we want to sustain social programs that cover the things you mentioned, we need to get our economy growing again so more young people can work here, generating revenue. If our population continues to fall, life will get worse and worse for the seniors who remain. I am running for office because I am not willing to watch that happen and do nothing. That’s not political talk. That’s the honest truth. We need to do much better — and we can. Let’s renew our province so seniors in need are properly cared for in their golden years and not left in such situations.
Ches Crosbie
N.L. Progressive Conservative leader
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