There is so much information today about health care. Some information relates to delivery of services, some to costs and type of services, some to waiting lists and service cuts and some information that is more controversial and political. It generally relates to funding issues and focuses on what services are funded provincially and what services are mandated and funded federally. Health care is always a political football with all parties promising to make it better, more efficient and less expensive. Interestingly enough today the budget for all levels and services related to health care in this province is in the neighbourhood of $35 billion dollars.
Canada Health Act
We often hear about the Canada Health Act in the news and there is often confusion about what is covered under this act. It is the foundation of public health care in Canada. The Canada Health Act refers to hospital and physician services only. All funded services must be publicly administered, comprehensive, universal, portable and accessible.
Home Care – Who Pays For It?
Home Care was not part of the Canada Health Act and has always been funded by the municipal or provincial governments. There has been some talk in the past at the federal level to investigate the feasibility of funding home care and drug benefit programs however it has remained just talk to date. The Romanow commission reported on the state of health care in the nation and concluded that the system needs to be funded differently to survive. A different funding arrangement must happen before the government can look at enhancements in the area of pharmacare and home care. The levels of government continue to talk.
Home Care in Ontario
When we talk about community care or care in the home we are talking about something completely different than any of the service delivery areas mentioned in the Canada Health Act. In Ontario, the government funds 14 regions in the province known as the LHIN's. Care Access Centres (CCAC’s) are defined by the LHIN's and oversee, let contracts and set criteria for home care services in their region. They also act as the gatekeeper for admission into Long Term Care centres. The government funds the care component for long term care centres and also sets standards of care. The accommodation components are paid for by the individual residents.
Persons wishing to receive home health care services by the CCAC of Waterloo Region must meet their criteria. They must require personal care – i.e. bathing, assistance with grooming, dressing etc to receive assistance. At present the maximum number of hours the CCAC will provide is 15 per week. Periodically depending on government funding available, there may be a waiting list for services from the CCAC.
Why Robertson Brown Health Services
There has always been the option to purchase home health services and many people have been doing it for years for their parents or other family members. If people wish to have a service that provides them with personalized, quality services, it is their choice. Robertson Brown Health Services provides services to persons on a private pay basis.
The government cannot possibly fund the needs of everyone who requires or wants home care. It is for this reason that communities need private companies like RBHS. People have the option to select personalized and quality services outside of the publicly funded system. It is a benefit to you and to those who can afford private care.
