RUSSELL HIGHLIGHTS LIBERAL PLAN FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE

OTTAWA, April 20, 2010 — Labrador M.P. Todd Russell says that the Liberal plan for rural and remote health care will be of great benefit to regions such as Labrador.

“Our party and leader recognize the challenges that rural and remote regions face in attracting and retaining medical professionals,” Russell said. “Our plan will go a long way to tackling that issue and ensuring that all Canadian have access to the best primary health care, from the cities of the south to communities across the North.”

In a policy speech last week at the Hants Shore Community Health Centre in Nova Scotia, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff outlined a plan that included:

· Forgiving up to $20,000 in student debt for doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners who chose to practice in a designated underserved community;

· Support for rural-focused medical and nursing education;

·  Encourage young Canadians in rural communities to go to medical school or study nursing;

· Introduce programs to find employment for the spouses of new doctors and nurses;

· Strengthen rural medicine extension programs; and

· Improving internet access for rural health practitioners.

“All Canadians should have a high quality of life and comparable levels of service, regardless of where they live,” said Mr. Ignatieff.  “Without comparable access to healthcare, education, internet connectivity, and even mail service, we risk a rural-urban divide that is a national unity challenge.”

Russell says that he has received positive feedback from Labrador about last week’s announcement.

“The Liberal party and our leader have been listening to Canadians, consulting with the medical professions, and are now putting forward positive ideas for the future,” Russell said. “I have already heard good reviews for our plan from the medical profession, and will continue to consult with health-care providers in Labrador as our party develops policy on this and other health-care matters.”