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Gerry Reid, MHA for the District of Twillingate-Fogo, says he is concerned
that the level of health care services to be provided in this province will
be drastically reduced in the next budget, especially in rural Newfoundland
and Labrador. Yesterday’s Throne Speech confirmed that government feels the
health care system is outdated and needs to be reshaped to move services to
larger centres. "As an MHA for a large rural district, I am very concerned
for the future of health care in my area," said Mr. Reid. "I have already
received calls from constituents who fear that the hospitals in Twillingate
and Fogo Island may be cutback, or even closed. There are also concerns
being raised that clinics and other services will be reduced leaving people
to travel further distances to receive the health care they require.
"I was very concerned over the past number of weeks to hear the situation
taking place on the west coast with potential cuts at the Stephenville
hospital and the reduction of clinic services in rural communities. After
hearing this government’s Throne Speech, I am more concerned than ever that
rural communities will have to bear the brunt of this government’s cutbacks.
"What can the people of Twillingate-Fogo expect from this government?
Will they have to travel to Gander or Grand Falls-Windsor to receive the
majority of their health care services? If this is Premier Williams strategy
to revitalize and grow rural Newfoundland and Labrador, I suggest he doesn’t
understand what it is like to live in rural parts of our province. We need
to grow services, not reduce them.
"If Mr. Williams believes that cutting health care services in this
province is a way to balance the budget, he should think about the
repercussions of his actions. The people of the province, as has been
demonstrated by the people of the Bay St. George area, will not tolerate the
loss of vital health care services. If he is looking for another battle to
add to his fight with the unions, I guarantee he will get his wish should he
decide to sacrifice our health services to balance the budget. This province
cannot afford to create a social deficit to balance a fiscal deficit. It is
time for the Premier to move forward with his much talked about agenda of
economic development, and move away from his focus on cutting social
services. It is time to bring forward the "new approach" and move away from
the old Mulroney style of government that he is currently practicing." |