OTTAWA,
ON, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian
Medical Association (CMA) is pleased to see investments into the
health care workforce, healthy Indigenous communities and the
social determinants of health in the 2024 federal budget.
Investments in youth mental health and a national school food
program can help fill a significant need for our youngest citizens.
We also welcome investments in pharmacare and dental care and are
encouraged by new funding to alleviate some of the administrative
burden faced by Canadian physicians, including for artificial
intelligence solutions. In addition, new money to integrate
internationally trained health care workers will provide some
welcome support for our workforce numbers and expand access to
care.
The CMA is also pleased to see important steps taken to combat
anti-Indigenous racism in health, key to advancing reconciliation
and improving health equity. We look forward to seeing the
Indigenous Health Equity Fund in action.
While we are encouraged, the CMA reiterates that governments
must remain focused on stabilizing and rebuilding the health
system. Millions of Canadians are struggling to access care in a
timely fashion while providers try to hold a crumbling health
system together.
Following last year's historic investments into health care, the
CMA applauds federal, provincial and territorial governments for
signing bilateral funding agreements. With new money in place, our
health system now needs action. It's time to do the work in a
transparent and accountable way so that all Canadians know they can
receive health care when and where they need it.
Together with governments, health care organizations, health
providers and all Canadians, we can start to expand access to care
and build a better health system for the future.
Dr. Kathleen Ross
CMA President
About the CMA
The Canadian Medical
Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe
in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable,
accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of
medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and
supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy.
We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing –
guided by values of collaboration and inclusion.
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association (CMA)