Media Advisory - National Medicare Week: Health coalition to urge Stephen<br>Harper to act now to enforce Canada Health Act

OTTAWA, Nov. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - National Medicare Week will be the backdrop for public health care advocates to urge the Prime Minister to take immediate action to enforce Canada's Health Act. A letter, signed by a number of renowned Medicare champions will be hand-delivered to the Prime Minister's office following a news conference organized by the Canadian Health Coalition (CHC).

On-hand to speak to the three urgent actions the Prime Minister must take to show federal leadership on health care will be Linda Silas, President, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions; Dr. Irfan Dhalla from Canadian Doctors for Medicare; Robert G. Evans, Director of the Population Health Program at the University of British Columbia; and Brenda and Andrew Stocks, who 8-year-old daughter, Renee, has a rare medical condition.

    
                       Press Conference Details:

           Date:       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

           Time:       10:30 a.m.

           Location:   Charles Lynch Press Theatre
                       Room 130S, Centre Block
                       Parliament Hill
    

Later in the day, the CHC will host an afternoon panel discussion: Celebrating Medicare: Caring for the Future, moderated by Nik Nanos of Nanos Research. Nanos will examine public attitudes to Medicare, relying on recent polling he has done. Panelists will discuss issues around protecting Medicare and ways to improve Medicare for the future.

    
                       Details of the Panel Discussion:

           Date:       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

           Time:       3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

           Location:   National Arts Centre
                       Le Salon
    

That evening, the CHC will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a gala event hosted by Mary Walsh, actor, playwright, director and comedian. Musical guests will include Connie Kaldor, Teresa Healy & Tom Juravich, Bob Carty and James Stephens. Julie Mason, an award-winning writer will be featured as the after-dinner speaker.

    
                       Details of the Gala Event

           Date:       Tuesday, November 17, 2009

           Time:       6 to 11 p.m.

           Location:   National Arts Centre
                       Panorama Room
    

The media is invited to attend all events.

For further information: Michael McBane, National Coordinator, Canadian Health Coalition, [phone]