The comms fight over long-term care
Devil is in the regulations
ABOVE THE FOLD
BETWEEN THE LINES — The Ford government insists that its new long-term care legislation won’t physically force elderly hospital patients into non-preferred homes — but advocates worry they could be financially forced.
Oppo critics hammered LTC Minister PAUL CALANDRA in Tuesday’s Question Period about the “cruel” move that would force patients into homes against their wishes and slap them with sky-high fees. Calandra maintains the legislation won’t free up much-needed hospital beds by force — but acknowledged that the practice of charging a patient who has been discharged a daily fee has long been on the books.
“We will not move people without their consent,” Calandra insisted.
Interim NDP leader PETER TABUNS isn’t buying it. “What are they gonna do — not give them popsicles on Wednesday? They are going to put tremendous pressure on them to get them out.”
JANE MEADUS of the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly says hospital patients who have …