The privatization of healthcare services by successive Liberal and Conservative governments is contributing to loss of healthcare system staff, loss of managerial control, loss of accountability and a loss of democratic decision making within the healthcare system.

Megan Mitton

WHEREAS, in 2007, the Liberal Graham government signed a 10-year agreement with Medavie Health Services to transfer the management of ambulance services to Medavie Health Services;

WHEREAS, in 2009, the Liberal Graham government turned over to Medavie Blue Cross the design and administration of a $1.3-million program to monitor prescription drugs;

WHEREAS, in 2018, the Liberal Gallant government turned over the management of the publicly administered Extra-Mural Program to Medavie Health Services;

WHEREAS, in 2022, the Conservative Higgs government further privatized the management of the list of those waiting for a family doctor or nurse practitioner by creating NB Health Link and giving it to Medavie Health Services;

WHEREAS the privatization of the management of public services is costing more than if these services were kept in the public sector due to the extra administrative costs, incentives for performance, outright overpayment, extra procedures, and profits for these companies;

WHEREAS the privatization of healthcare services by successive Liberal and Conservative governments is contributing to the loss of staff in the healthcare system, loss of managerial control, loss of accountability, and loss of democratic decision-making of our healthcare system;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to cease any further privatization efforts within the healthcare system;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to develop a comprehensive action plan to transfer the management of the healthcare services currently offered by Medavie Health Services to the Regional Health Authorities.