For Immediate Release
November 5, 2024
Today in the House of Assembly, NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) and MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) highlighted several solutions to help ease the healthcare crisis.
Dinn, echoing calls from national and provincial medical associations, asked government to address workplace sick note requirements. Sick notes for short-term illnesses eat up doctors’ time, risk the spread of infection, and cost patients’ money. Dinn asked, “Will the Premier commit to bringing in legislation to end sick note requirements for short term absences from work?”
Dinn then moved to the Federal Pharmacare plan, advocated by the federal NDP, now waiting for the provinces to sign on. More Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will have access to affordable medication, and the province will save $71 million on diabetes treatment alone. Dinn wrote the Premier last month urging prompt action but has not heard back. He asked in the House, “When will the Premier be writing his federal cousins to sign on to this important agreement?”
Brown questioned government on yesterday’s new hospital announcement. He underlined the lack of affordable accommodations for patients traveling from Labrador or rural communities for services. “What plans does government have for accommodations and transportation at this new site?” he asked.
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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