– Too Many Of Our Veterans Not Getting The Health Care They Need
A Commentary from Cindy Forster, Welland Riding MPP
November 3rd, 2015 – In the lead up to Remembrance Day every year, Canadians of all ages and backgrounds come together and collectively vow to never forget our brave men and women who lost their lives in military service in peace time or in war. We adorn our lapels with poppies, donate to local legions, lay wreaths in memory, and promise to never forget.
Cindy Forster, the MPP for the Niagara, Ontario Riding of Welland
However, many of these men and women whose service we are so thankful for are often left on the margins of our health care system. Currently, Ontario’s Health and Long Term Care Act limits the definition of what it means to be a “veteran” when assessing who gets priority access to long term care.
In short, our health care system has created a class system for veterans. Priority access to long term care beds is only available for those who served during and prior to the Korean War; the brave men and women who served in any peacekeeping or wartime mission after that (aka “modern-day veterans) often have to fend for themselves.
These are veterans who left their loved ones behind to make the ultimate sacrifice for our communities, and in doing so, risked paying the highest price.
These are the same men and women who were deployed to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cyprus, the same ones who saved lives during Ontario’s forest fires, snow storms, plane crashes and ice storms. The vast majority come home having witnessed loss of life and limb, many bearing physical, mental and emotional wounds.
For that reason, they need to know that we’re behind them. They deserve to know that if they’re wounded in service, they will get the health care support they deserve.
Instead, our modern day veterans are faced with a system that tells them they aren’t “veteran enough” for priority long-term care –This is an embarrassment and has to change.
As an MPP, I believe that we should honour our veterans. This is why I’m proud to support the “Long Term Care Homes Amendment Act (Preference for Veterans), 2015, a private members bill inspired by veterans and presented by me in the Ontario Legislature . It received the Legislature’s unanimous support in April, 2015.
This private members bill would correct this long standing injustice and ensure all veterans in Ontario are provided priority access to long term care beds when they need it.
To give priority to some while denying it to others is unacceptable. All our veterans deserve priority access to long term care beds because lest we forget, we have a duty to care.
Cindy Forster is the NDP MPP for Welland and Ontario NDP Caucus Chair and Labour critic. Prior to her election, she served as Mayor of Welland, Niagara Regional Councillor, Labour Relations Officer with the Ontario Nurses Association and is a former Registered Nurse.
Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.
(NOW IT IS YOUR TURN. Niagara At Large encourages you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.)
.
Niagara At Large 