OTTAWA - As the Alberta affiliate of the Canadian Health Coalition, Friends of Medicare is in the nation's capital this week to focus on inter-provincial and national issues concerning public health care.

An overwhelming majority of Canadians think that the federal government should be taking a leadership role in securing our healthcare system and ensuring all Canadians have access to it, according to the results of a Nanos Research survey conducted on behalf of the Canadian Health Coalition.

The poll is being released during National Medicare Week, December 2-8, 2012. Citizens from across Canada will be writing, calling and meeting with their MPs. They will be urging Prime Minister Harper to return to the negotiating table with the provinces and territories in order to secure a new 10-year Health Accord.

"Canadians believe the federal government has a key role in making sure that all Canadians can get the health care they need," said Mike McBane, Executive Director of the Canadian Health Coalition. 

In a national random telephone survey, 87.7 % of Canadians indicated that they agree or somewhat agree that the federal government has a key leadership role in securing the future of public healthcare in Canada. Also, 94.4 % agree or somewhat agree that the federal government should ensure that Canadians, no matter where they live or their ability to pay, can get access to healthcare. These strong views generally cut across all regions, age groups and among both men and women.

"Health care is a shared national value," said Mr. McBane, "so Canadians of all ages and in all parts of Canada are looking to the federal government to make sure the future of our public system is secure and that access is preserved."

Nanos Research conducted a national random telephone survey of 1,004 Canadians aged 18 and over between November 9th and 15th, 2012 on behalf of the Canadian Health Coalition. The survey is considered accurate ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Detailed results are available at: www.nanosresearch.com

The Canadian Health Coalition is a public advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of Medicare. You can learn more about our work on our website. 

The Nanos poll results can be found at this link:

http://www.friendsofmedicare.org/uploads/2012-04-MedicareNanosPoll.pdf

- 30 -