The economic action plan is the brainstorm of the Harper government. Being as we are in an election year it is worth taking a quick look at the health sector of this plan. This way we can get a good idea of what we might lose if the Harper government loses the election. There are no guarantees that the new governing body would continue with any part of the action plan.
Home accessibility tax credit for seniors and persons with disabilities
This would be a non-refundable tax credit and is geared towards helping the seniors and individuals with disabilities to be able to function better in their homes. Many times that these individuals need to do some home improvements to make sure that their home is safe and that they can function comfortably within it. These renovations cost money and the government is proposing to help with this. T he basics of the program is that a maximum of $10,000 for these home expenditures could be claimed and the government would give a 15% non refundable tax credit for this. This means at this max amount the tax credit would come to $1500. Naturally the renovations or improvements what have to meet as specific criteria. One of the concerns here is that many seniors and individuals with disabilities are already living on a fixed income and to try and come up with $10,000 to do these home renovations is near impossible in the first place.
Extending compassionate care benefits
Most often family members are looking after their seniors or a other family members that may be ill. If these caregivers are holding down a job it is difficult for them to arrange for the proper care during the working hours. When the medical condition becomes life threatening the government is proposing a compassionate care benefit where the caregiver could stay home and receive a benefit while doing so while they are caring for the sick individual. While this is already in place the government is proposing that it be changed from six weeks to six months.
These are the two major programs and there are several other steps in the action plan that the government has proposed. This is a by assisting a some foundations and organizations with a financial in search for which these foundations use towards healthcare in various ways. For example the Canadian foundation for healthcare improvement is still slated to receive $14 million over a two-year period. This money is to be used towards support for enhancing health care systems. There are a few others as well.
For those that are interested in what the various politicians running for office are planning for the future health care system of Canada if they were to get into office, at least the public has a general idea that they can follow with the Harper government’s action plan. As far as the other politicians go it’s a matter of listening to their platform speeches and to try and decipher just what is being promised and then making the decision as to whether one thinks that these politicians will stick to their word.
