General Comments



RNAO strongly endorses the final report of the Romanow Commission,
Building on Values: The Future of Health Care in Canada. Commissioner
Romanow began his work clarifying Canadians’ values and ended his work
with recommendations based on the best available evidence. Indeed, the
report’s recommendations are based in solid evidence, gleaned through
extensive consultation, research and analysis over the past eighteen
months. This is a report that reflects the overwhelming views and
values of most Canadians, including Ontario nurses.



First, this is a report that clearly details the values and principles
that underlie the Canadian health care system. We call upon politicians
of all parties to immediately reconfirm their support for these values
and principles. The report also lays to rest the ghosts of
privatization and for-profit delivery, and offers a clear path for
Canadians and their elected officials to get on with the real job of
building Medicare’s second generation. Medicare is part of the tapestry
of a moral and just society that has contributed to Canada’s social
cohesion. The report is unwavering in its position that Medicare offers
Canadians the best financial deal and is the best way for all of us to
receive our health care.



The report moves Canada in all the correct directions towards
comprehensive universality in health care, and does so in a very
fiscally and politically cautious way. We expect the federal and
provincial governments to adopt these initial steps, and decisively
move to realize the immediate and long-term vision set by Commissioner
Romanow towards achieving universal access to all essential health care
services.



RNs across Canada have been key participants in building and preserving
our universally accessible health-care system. We fought hard for the
Canada Health Act.  We have also been willing participants in the
work of the Romanow Commission over the past eighteen months; realizing
that today’s highly changed – and highly charged – climate makes this a
critical time for a knowledgeable and passionate defense of the letter
and the spirit of the Canada Health Act.



We commend the Commissioner for protecting these principles in his
report and for extending them to other necessary health-care services.