The CEO for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is pleased with the Liberal government's plan to invest over $11-billion into health care across Ontario, as part of the recently announced provincial budget.
"Hospitals will be receiving about 3.1% additional funding," says CKHA CEO Lori Marshall. "We don't know yet what the particulars will be for our own organization, but knowing that there are increases, certainly, would be good news."
On Thursday, Finance Minister Charles Sousa released the 2017 Ontario Budget, which included health care investments totaling $11.5-billion, which have been promised over the next three years.
"They've identified some specific areas that they want to target," says Marshall. "Mental health and addictions, and wait times... and in addition to hospital funding, some focus on long-term care."
The new health care dollars will also go towards free prescription drug coverage for everyone aged 24 and under.
"We know that all of those things will eventually benefit us," said Marshall.
Other health care related investments within this year's provincial budget include another $250-million for the expansion of home and community care programs, such as home nursing, personal support and physiotherapy services.
