The Save South Muskoka Hospital Committee (SSMHC) reports it wants to see financial information of importance, concerning Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s (MAHC) future local healthcare plans.
“Physicians cannot negotiate in good faith when the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Board refuses to provide essential costings,” states the latest release from the SSMHC. “MAHC ‘s excuse that it will affect bidding for future contracts is without foundation ten years into the future. Even our elected officials are kept in the dark resulting, unfortunately, in little comment from our councils. MAHC is spending one billion dollars from taxpayers’ coffers and yet, only their board members are privileged to know expenditures within “our” healthcare system. This is outrageous, and… very wrong!”
To read MAHC’s latest releases on their future local healthcare plans click here and here
The SSMHC says there has been no release of financial matters on design, construction costs, land acquisitions, ground preparation costs, transportation evaluations and expenses for two hundred additional nursing staff.
“It is absolutely unacceptable for MAHC to say, “Trust Us” … while refusing to produce any financial documentation so citizens may make informed decisions,” states the release. “This should not be a give-away to build a Huntsville regional hospital. We demand answers!”
The SSMHC reports it’s anxiously awaiting the next round of discussions that local physicians will have in early May with the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Board of Directors and says subject to the outcome of those deliberations, should MAHC fail to respect physicians’ recommendations for proper bed requirements to the Ministry of Health, MAHC will be subject to peaceful protest.
The SSMHC release also advocates for seasonal citizens who’ve not yet had an opportunity to raise their own voices on the matter due to the off-season time-frame in which Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare chose to host public meetings on the issue.
“All citizens deserve to be heard, including our summer cottagers, and snowbirds, in addition to our permanent residents,” states the release, which suggests MAHC host ‘Public Chats’ for those segments.
The SSMHC continues to urge concerned citizens to continue protesting with signs, writing government personnel at all levels and additionally, voicing opinions directly to the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Board of Directors.
