WAR OF WORDS ACCUSES MAHC OF ‘PRIVATE FOR PROFIT (HOSPITALS) OUR COMMUNITY CAN’T AFFORD’
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — The David and Goliath battle to “get it right” has hospital opponents continuing to compete in a weekly war of words.
As sure as Saturday follows Friday, those fighting to “save” south Muskoka’s hospital have issued their weekend response to MAHC’s end of week update on redevelopment plans.
They say MAHC’s “unequal” hospitals model will “result in the growth of private for profit centres that our community cannot afford.”
It’s the third weekend that both groups have issued community updates.
“We are working on how best to continue with our messaging,” Cindy Waters told supporters today on behalf of Save South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.
“We are considering plans to have a rally to show the numbers of people who are committed to the ongoing support for South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.”
Waters says the “grassroots” community group is “considering plans to have a rally to show the numbers of people who are committed to the ongoing support.
“You may have seen ‘Save South Muskoka Hospital, Keep the Promise’ signs across the area.
“We are asking people to contribute $20 per sign to place on their lawn or in their window. Any proceeds will be used to print more signs and other printed materials and required needs going forward.
“For those of you who would like a sign, you can contact Jason Cole. Email me here if you would like his contact information. We have struck a financial committee to ensure accountability with any funding support. More fundraising efforts will be communicated in the coming weeks.”
Waters added: “As we understand it there will be no submission to the Ministry of Health from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare on the new build projects until December, 2024.
“MAHC was asked by Graydon Smith, our MPP, to slow the process down to ‘get it right.’”
“We have delivered a petition to him with well over 4,000 signatures and we have another 2,000 signatures we can hand over. We will have more once we do another collection. The petitions will be directed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.”
She says new petitions may be drafted to replace the current one seen in local businesses and at other community churches and public locations.
“This is a grassroots effort to support our communities with a solid healthcare future,” Waters wrote in a Sunday release.
“MAHC’s efforts for future needs should never have included diminished hospital services in South Muskoka.
“We believe the result of their model as suggested will result in the growth of private for profit centres that our community cannot afford, along with a need to travel excessive distances for our own family healthcare needs.
“It is not acceptable to pay such disrespect to the people who have invested their lives here.
She included a link to MAHC’s delegation last fall to the District of Muskoka requesting funding support for the public’s ‘Local Share’ portion of the $1B hospitals build, which “we will ask the district to defer or cancel” until the Care Close to Home option by south Muskoka doctors is costed-out as MAHC now promises to do. https://www.facebook.com/100011225382713/videos/1536681247188546/
See MuskokaTODAY.com’s Friday story about MAHC’s latest messaging below:
MAHC DEFENDS NEW BRACEBRIDGE HOSPITAL LOCATION, SAYS PINE STREET STILL BEST SITE COMPARED TO NO. 2 MUSKOKA ROYALE PROPERTY https://muskokatoday.com/2024/03/mahc-defends-new-bracebridge-hospital-location-says-pine-street-still-best-site-compared-to-no-2-muskoka-royale-property/
EMAIL: [email protected]
30 years of TRUSTED ‘Local Online Journalism’
Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1
Leave comments at end of story
SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]
Mail cheque to MuskokaTODAY.com Box 34 Gravenhurst, Ont. P1P 1T5
And include your email address to get stories sent to your inbox
