Ontario's doctors were pleased to learn that the Ontario Liberal Party has included several health care policy initiatives in their election platform as recommended by the Ontario Medical Association. In January, Ontario's doctors released, 'Better care. Healthier patients. A stronger Ontario.' and called for a comprehensive mental health strategy, a focus on community care and a renewed fight against tobacco and contraband, which were announced today by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty as key planks of the Liberal health care platform.
Ontario's doctors are especially pleased with the plan to tackle childhood obesity which includes an increase in the availability of healthy food in schools and the goal to reduce childhood obesity by 20 per cent over 5 years.
Ontario's economic recovery, provincial debt and personal finances have been a focal point for all three parties, but polling by the OMA reveals that patients want health care to be a priority. Specifically, 9 in 10 Ontarians feel that health care is the most important issue and health care is more important by a 2-1 margin over fiscal issues such as jobs, taxes, debt and deficit.
Ontario's doctors will continue to be leading advocates when it comes to helping shape the future of our health care system. We will continue to work with our partners to further strengthen our health care system and improve patient care, by focusing on other initiatives in our platform including expanding Electronic Medical Records and expanding the number of Family Health Teams across the province.
Looking ahead to the provincial election in October, Ontario's doctors will be urging all political parties to make health care a top priority.
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