For Immediate Release
Ontario Budget a Disappointment
March 28, 2003: - The Boards of the Ontario Community Support Association
(OCSA) and the Ontario Home Health Care Providers’ Association (OHHCPA)
are disappointed
by the Ontario budget and the lack of recognition of home and community
care. At a time when Ontario hospitals are bracing for outbreaks of SARS
and discharging
patients rapidly, a strong home and community care system is needed more
than ever.
The Ontario budget makes no mention of the needs of the home and community
care sector and the service it provides to over 400,000 Ontarians who want
to stay at home and live independently. 115,000 people lost home and community
care service last year when 6,000,000 hours of home care were cut due to a
provincial budget freeze. OCSA and OHHCPA, on behalf of all clients, expressed
the hope that in this budget the government would honour its 1998 promise of
an increase of $551.8 M by 2006. $170M is needed now to ensure that our sector
can support people in the home. This budget has not honoured the 1998 commitment
to the people of Ontario.
Canadian research shows that a strong home and community care system enhances
quality of life, is cost-effective and prevents unnecessary hospitalization,
ER admissions and premature institutionalization. It is a safe and preferred
place of care for thousands of people. Ontarians want a government that recognizes
the importance of being able to maintain independence and autonomy in the
home. OCSA and OHHCPA will continue to fight for the right of people to stay
at home and get the care they need, when they need it most.
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For Further Information:
Sue VanderBent, Executive Director, Ontario Home Health Care Providers’ Association
19 Melrose Avenue South, Hamilton, Ontario L8M 2Y4
Tel: 905-543-9474, Fax: 905-545-1568
Email: suevan@ohhcpa.on.ca , Web Site: www.ohhcpa.on.ca
Joe McReynolds, CEO, Ontario Community Support Association
104 – 970 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3B6
Tel: 416-256-3010 ext. 224, Fax: 416-256-3021
Email: joem@ocsa.on.ca , Web Site: www.ocsa.on.ca