On Monday November 14, OPSEU presented its submission on Bill 41, the Patients First Act, to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly. Bill 41 was introduced to overhaul Ontario's health care system.
OPSEU is calling for:
- The elimination of contracting-out and the implementation of a fully public, non-profit home care system.
- Amendments to Bill 41 to make Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) accountable to local communities.
- Implementation of democratically-elected LHIN boards of directors and meaningful consultation processes with the public and workforce.
“A health system that is public, accountable and transparent puts patients before profits. Bill 41 could be an opportunity for positive change within the health care system, but there is work yet to be done to strengthen the capacity of this legislation to truly put patients first.”
– Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President, OPSEU