Pre-Budget Announcement Earmarks $750,000 for MAHC

The 2018-19 Ontario budget proposes to include a $750,000 increase in funding for Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare in 2018-19, according to an announcement made on Friday by Barrie MPP Ann Hoggarth at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

While the provincial government announced an overall hospital funding increase of 4.6% across Ontario, the amount announced for MAHC represents only a 1.4% increase in funding.

“Hospital funding has not kept pace with many new and rising costs, including salary increases mandated through collective agreements, increasing energy costs and new regulations,” explains Natalie Bubela, Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to face enormous pressure to do more with less to ensure access to care. The $750,000 earmarked in the budget is very disappointing, and does not address the multi-million dollar operating shortfall we are projecting for the 2018-19 fiscal year.”

Evelyn Brown, Chair of the MAHC Board of Directors, shared the sentiment that while any increase in funding is welcome, MAHC’s allocation is hardly representative of inflation.

“Earlier this month, the Senior Leadership Team along with representatives of the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN met with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to advocate for additional funding to address our ongoing operating challenges,” Brown says. “This is not a fix to the funding formula that is so badly needed. We will continue advocacy with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN to properly fund our operations, but the pre-budget announcement is extremely disappointing for all of Muskoka.”