Yvan Baker, member of the House of Commons of Canada, joins us to talk about Canadians’ health care issues and needs. Mr. Baker discusses the benefits of Canada’s universal health care system for essential services and needs, but highlights gaps in the system like doctor shortages, delays in services, and how until recently dental care was not part of the system. He shares how he’s helped advocate for the expansion of dental care, for the government to consider patient outcomes, and his work with the older adult community.

Among the highlights in this episode:

00:45: Mr. Baker shares his background, including his work as a consultant and his transition into politics, explaining how his experience in business and education led him to focus on health care in public service

01:56: Mr. Baker details why health care is a critical focus for his political career, citing personal philosophy and the universal health care system in Canada as major influences on his legislative efforts

03:29: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, and Mr. Baker discuss the unique ability of government to effect change in health care, emphasizing the necessity for patient advocacy and government responsiveness to improve health services

04:53: Mr. Baker explains ongoing efforts to close gaps in the Canadian health care system, highlighting recent initiatives to improve access to essential health services

06:08: Mr. Baker talks about government strategies to reduce wait times and improve service delivery, including funding approaches that tie financial support to specific health care outcomes

07:14: Mr. Baker and Steven discuss the expansion of Canada’s health care system to include dental care, detailing the structure and goals of the new dental care program aimed at increasing accessibility

08:28: Mr. Baker highlights his work on broader health care initiatives, including efforts to strengthen support for senior citizens and improve the overall health care infrastructure

10:45: Mr. Baker emphasizes the importance of health care advocacy, sharing insights on the impact of effective government action and the need for continued public engagement in shaping health care policies

12:34: What our hosts learned from this episode

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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