For Immediate Release
March 19, 2025
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is frustrated by the Auditor General’s (AG) report on the Medical Care Plan (MCP) and Dental Health Plans, released today.
The report exposes serious issues, including an outdated MCP I.T. system vulnerable to cyberattacks, former employees still having access, and an inability to ensure public healthcare funds are properly distributed. Dinn says these failures harm patients, drive professionals away, and erode public trust.
“People in this province are struggling to access healthcare services. I’ve had people unable to get the dental care they need, people who have their claims denied by MCP. We continue to see issues within the system, so why have we waited over a decade to act?” Dinn questioned. “This also could impact retention of doctors who are frustrated with our system and decide to move elsewhere where they won’t be burdened by these deficiencies. Neglecting recommendations is doing nothing to help our healthcare system.”
The AG notes these recommendations are similar to the 2014 audit and no reasonable explanation has been given for the inaction. Dinn says it’s clear successive Liberal and Conservative governments have failed in addressing concerns.
“It’s outrageous, really. It is shameful that after 11 years, both Conservative and Liberal governments have just neglected to act on any of these recommendations,” Dinn said. “People in this province have to navigate a health care system that is in crisis, struggling to access the services they need. The fact that we haven’t moved on addressing any of these recommendations is deeply concerning.
“Talk is cheap. The Minister can come out and say they accept these recommendations, but what’s the plan? They accepted them back in 2014 too. Are we expected to wait for another cyberattack for government to act?
“It’s time for government to stop neglecting healthcare, stop neglecting AG recommendations, stop living in the past, and get to work on these recommendations.”
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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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