Unwilling to choose between its two remaining hospitals, the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare board held firm in refusing to make cuts recently. Last week they were rewarded for standing by their community.
The province announced November 23 it was adding $4.5 million to MAHC’s bottom line this fiscal year, bringing the hospital to within $1.5 million of balancing their budget.
It is expected an additional $1.5 million will be included in the 2011-12 budget year.
Facing a $6 million shortfall, the Muskoka Region was fearful that one of the two hospitals – Bracebridge or Huntsville – would have to be downgraded to balance the budget.
OPSEU Local 380 President Barb Barry has played a key role in raising awareness about hospital cuts in the communities of Bracebridge, Huntsville and Burk’s Falls. Campaigning hard for the past three years, Barry has rallied the community to demand more funding rather than witness further devastating health care cuts.
OPSEU Diablogue 