Canada's Nurses Say 'Finally Serious Discussion on Health Care Starts With Today's Seniors Commitment by the NDP'

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - September 13, 2015) - Canada's Nurses are applauding the New Democratic Party of Canada for committing to $1.8 billion in new health care funding for seniors over the next 4 years and are calling on other political parties to also commit to a national plan for safe seniors' care.

In addition to promising to work with the premiers, NDP leader, Tom Mulcair, announced targeted funding for long-term care, palliative care and home care. This meets the criteria contained in CFNU's recent report 'Before it's too late: A National Plan for Safe Seniors' Care.

"Canada's Nurses are pleased that Canadians are finally beginning to hear from political parties on the most critical issue of concern to Canadians, health care," said CFNU President, Linda Silas. "We are looking forward to working with the next federal government on national standards for safe, quality patient care and a health human resource strategy, and this is a very good foundation for our country's seniors," said Linda Silas.

With over half the election over and the three main political parties still to release their platforms, CFNU will be monitoring health care commitments and urging Canadians to vote for health care.

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) is Canada's largest nurses' organization representing nearly 200,000 nurses and student nurses. The CFNU has been advocating for national discussions on key health priorities, such as a national prescription drug plan, a comprehensive approach to long-term and continuing care, greater attention to health human resources, and federal government engagement on the future of public health care.