CMA and AFN call federal leaders to modernize Canada Health Act

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) today called on federal leaders to commit to defending and modernizing the Canada Health Act and enhancing the health of First Nations peoples across Canada.

"There's a misconception that Ottawa's role in health care is limited to funding, but nothing could be further from the truth," said CMA President Dr. Jeff Turnbull. "Ottawa is responsible for providing for health care services for First Nations and Inuit communities and, given the health outcomes we see among this population, its efforts fall far short of acceptable."

The federal government is also responsible for providing health services for veterans, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and in federal penitentiaries.

The CMA has called on federal party leaders to tell Canadians how they plan to lead a transformation of Canada's health care system and ensure the federal government fulfills its role as custodian of the Canada Health Act and in ensuring the provision of high-quality health care services to those under its jurisdiction.

With the spotlight shining on the federal candidates until voting day next week, the CMA and AFN want to make it clear that there is still time to commit to transforming the health care system to make it patient-centred, as Canadians have identified health care as their number-one priority in this campaign.

"First Nations are embarking on a path of positive change and re-building our Nations, but this change is hampered by a fear of someone getting sick because of limited access to medical services and the prospect of having a family member taken far from home," said AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. "With tuberculosis rates among First Nations peoples at 31 times the rate for the rest of Canada, too often the fear of getting sick is not a question of if, but when.

"We have called on all parties in this election to commit to working with First Nations to support sustainable health systems at rates equivalent to the 6.6% increase already promised to the provinces," added Mr. Atleo. "We maintain that First Nations must be at the table in the upcoming discussions on the renewal of the 2004 Health Accord to ensure our unique situation and challenges are addressed."

Based on resolutions from Chiefs in-Assembly, the AFN has set out specific national priorities for this election reflecting the broad theme of 'working together now to build success for the future'.  The priorities include safety and community health for First Nations.

The CMA and AFN contend that the federal government can move to fulfill its responsibility to enforce and modernize the Canada Health Act, while also fulfilling its responsibility as the fifth-largest health care provider in the country. However, the vision and the will must come now and extend beyond funding for health care to uphold the principles of the Canada Health Act, such as accessibility and universality.