VERNON

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2013

On May 14, seniors have a clear choice - deep health care cuts to pay for the BC Liberals’ bogus budget - or change for the better with the NDP.

Mark Olsen, NDP Candidate for Vernon-Monashee:  “As a resident of Vernon, and more recently as a candidate for the NDP, I’ve spoken with hundreds of seniors about the challenges facing them under a Liberal government.  And, I’m proud of our platform promises to seniors.”  In addition to establishing the eagerly awaited independent Seniors’ Advocate, the BC NDP will:

• Commit $70 million over three years to enable more seniors and people with chronic disabilities and complex conditions to receive home support and community care, and to boost the amount of care.

• Improve the standard of residential care for seniors who cannot remain at home, investing $35 million to improve basic services.

• Expand home support and community care for seniors, people with disabilities and people with chronic and complex conditions.

• Improve service levels in BC’s residential care facilities, including improved standards of care for bathing, toileting, recreational activities and culturally appropriate care.

• Renew and redefine the Health Quality Council to drive positive change and innovation within BC’s health care system.

• Restore the Therapeutic Initiative’s role as BC’s drug watchdog and make its expertise available to private drug plans, clinicians and consumers.

• Expand province-wide academic detailing to ensure prescribers are informed about the most appropriate drug use, and provide physicians with timely expert feedback on their prescribing patterns and trends.

• Expand BC’s low cost drug program.

Olsen, “It’s evident to me that seniors want approaches that support healthy, active aging, but that also provide adequate protection, security and care when needed. The NDP is the only Party that understands, and that has a clear plan to work with seniors on establishing a well-coordinated continuum of care.”