Health Policy
Health policy from the 2007 Green Book
:
- Support the 5 principles of Medicare: Public Administration, Comprehensiveness, Universality, Portability and Accessibility
- Promote preventative health care policies that keep the residents of Saskatchewan healthy, fit and out of the hospital.
- Remove PST from all sporting good purchase.
- Expand funding for youth and recreational sports programs to increase access and participation.
- Mandate and fund healthy food programs in schools while banning pop and junk food vending machines.
- Require greater involvement of people dealing with personal mental health problems in decision-making for all policy that affects their lives and communities.
- Create birthing centres and invest in midwifery programs
- Invest in new forms of rural emergency health care such as helicopter ambulances.
- Ensure that every resident has a right to clean air and clean water.
Health Resolutions 1998-2011:
2011.41 Baseline Health Study
Be it resolved that Green MLAs will advocate that the government of Saskatchewan conduct a much overdue baseline health study of the people of Saskatchewan, to determine if environmental factors such as toxins and pollutants are causing the high rate of illness in our province, so that we can begin steps to prevent and treat illnesses such as MS by better understanding their causes. Such a study would be conducted over a period of ten years with an approximate cost of ten million dollars.
2011.42 Dental Care as part of publicly funded healthcare
Be it resolved that Green MLAs will support the inclusion of dental care as part of Saskatchewan’s publicly funded healthcare system, starting with the re?introduction of the school dental care program for Saskatchewan children.
2011.46 Promotion of quality organic food, packaged food and personal care products
Be it Resolved that Green Party MLAs will take steps to restrict dangerous additives to food, personal care products, children’s toys and clothing. The aim is to prevent the sale of products containing chemicals such as: BPA, phthalates, pesticides and specified endocrine?disrupting substances from negatively impacting on the growth and development of our children and young adults. These and other chemicals have also been found in baby lotions, powders, shampoos, tin can liners, food packaging and many cosmetics. Some have been cited as allergens, neurotoxins and carcinogens. In addition, MSG and artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose etc.) are suspect for cancers and neurological disorders and should be added to a restricted list for further study for removal from the marketplace in Saskatchewan.
Green Party MLAs will follow the lead of the Suzuki Foundation calling for clear and more accurate labelling and a ban on several chemicals found in most cosmetic products, many of which are endocrine disrupters, neurotoxins and carcinogens. Ten years ago the European Union placed a ban on phthalates in children’s toys, as did the U.S. in 2009. Canada finally placed a more limited ban on phthalates in soft vinyl toys as of June, 2011, which was preceded by a ban on the use of BPA in baby bottles in 2010. More needs to be done as a ban on the use of these substances needs to be placed on all children’s toys and many other products.
2005.11 Restore position of Provincial Dietician
Be it resolved that the GPS support the re-establishment of the Provincial Dietician position which was abolished by the Romanow / Calvert government.
2005.13 Restore public health library
Be it resolved that the GPS would re-establish the provincial public health library for public education on health issues.
2005.14 Support costs incurred by diabetics
Be it resolved that the GPS provide insulin to diabetics at $2.00 a vial and also provide free chemical strips and swabs.
2005.15 Remove VLTs from Saskatchewan
Be it resolved that the GPS support removal of all VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals) from Saskatchewan due to the health issues they create.
2005.16 Limit places for cigarette sales
Be it resolved that the GPS would ban all cigarette sales in any medical facility or pharmacy.
2004.8 Ambulance costs to be under medicare
Be it resolved that a Green Party of Saskatchewan Government will include costs for ambulance transportation under medicare when such transport is declared necessary by an attending physician; such declaration to be made before or after the use of the ambulance service.
2003.22 Effective health system requires healthy environment
BE IT RESOLVED that a Green Party of Saskatchewan Government recognizes that an effective health system requires that healthy air, water and food is available to all Saskatchewan citizens.
2003.23 Community voice for health policies
BE IT RESOLVED that a Green Party of Saskatchewan Government will create a democratic participatory process for an effective community voice in determining health policy at local levels.
2003.24 Expanding health supports
BE IT RESOLVED that a Green Party of Saskatchewan Government will support the introduction of more community health centres, pharma-care, alternative medicine, dental care and home care.
2003.25 Support preventative health care
BE IT RESOLVED that a Green Party of Saskatchewan Government will support preventative health care, considering social, economic and environmental factors.
1998.14 Health care
Be it resolved that the Green Party of Saskatchewan support a re-investment of public funds into the health care system to ensure that the five basic principles of the Canada Health Act – universality, comprehensiveness, accessibility, portability and public administration – are firmly upheld.
1998.15 Community health centres
Be it resolved that the Green Party of Saskatchewan encourage as a model of primary service delivery, the expansion of community health centres that employ a salaried team of multi-disciplinary providers and are community-controlled.
Platform 2007: Health
A New and Different Health Policy
A GPS government will follow policies based on prevention of illness, support for the five principles of Medicare, and the right of all to healthy food, clean water, clean air, good housing and a just standard of living.
