2019 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission
Executive Summary
Ontarians want the opportunity to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. Unfortunately, far too often the reality is much different. An aging and increasingly medically complex population, coupled with chronic underinvestment, has resulted in an unprecedented capacity challenge across our health care system. Overcrowding of hospitals has led to “hallway health care,” with many patients too sick to return home without supports and waiting to receive a more appropriate level of care.
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The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) applauds the government’s commitment to end hallway health care. OCSA knows that there is a clear need to build capacity across the health care system, but that will take years. Ontarians need relief sooner and the home and community care sector is an essential, cost-effective and readily available part of the immediate solution.
Effectively utilizing the sector will help to free up hospital capacity, prevent unnecessary emergency department visits, and give clients the opportunity to live independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible. In addition, the home and community care sector encompasses health promotion, and preventative and re-enablement services, helping to avoid unnecessary and costly hospitalization and institutionalization.
While the home and community care sector has the potential to help end hallway health care and restore the province’s finances, this can only happen if the challenges facing the sector are addressed. Through
targeted investments, the development of a health human resource strategy to attract and retain frontline staff and a reduction of burdensome red tape, home and community care can be leveraged to ensure the best care in the most appropriate setting and reduce costs to the system.
The Ontario Community Support Association looks forward to partnering with government as it takes steps to transform our health care system for the people of Ontario.
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OCSA has partnered with Cowan Benefits™ as our preferred group benefits partner to help member organizations explore flexible, sustainable employee benefits solutions tailored to the community support and not-for-profit sectors. As the OASSIS program transitions, Cowan will provide OCSA members with expert guidance, dedicated support and flexible group benefits options designed to balance affordability, stability and employee wellbeing. Whether organizations are looking for comparable coverage, greater flexibility or a longer-term benefits strategy, Cowan will work with them to identify solutions that meet their needs and support a smooth transition.
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