A post on a local MLA’s official Facebook page has drawn ire from across the political spectrum.
Chester – St. Margarets MLA Hugh MacKay criticized lifestyle choices of people with some chronic health issues, blaming inactivity and smoking for creating a burden on the health care system.
““Nova Scotians continue to be plagued by a number of chronic diseases that are often linked to lifestyle choices. Smoking, over-consumption of alcohol, poor diet, and inactivity all greatly increase the risk of developing heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer,” read the statement, in part. “The treatment costs for these oft-preventable diseases is immense and is a source of great frustration for our health care professionals and for your government.”
The comment was later deleted but not before being screenshot and posted by the Nova Scotia Health Coalition.
Chris Parsons, provincial coordinator with the coalition, says MacKay is blaming Nova Scotians for a broken system and forgetting the many extenuating issues that can cause obesity and other health problems.
“What we have is a problem with unemployment, we have a problem with jobs that don’t pay enough, we have a problem with affordable housing and we have a lot of communities that don’t have access to healthy food at an affordable price.”
Parsons says he’d like to see MacKay and the Liberal government work toward solutions, rather than laying blame on vulnerable people.
The comment also led to a statement from the official opposition’s health critic.
“The healthcare crisis cannot be dropped at the feet of sick and suffering Nova Scotians,” says PC MLA Eddie Orrell. “Is this really what Premier McNeil and the Liberals think about the men, women and children who need healthcare?”
The Nova Scotia NDP also put out a release on the issue.
“This is shameful behaviour from someone who was elected to represent the people of this province,” said NDP Health Spokesperson Tammy Martin. “The Liberals continue to ignore the health care crisis in Nova Scotia and blame others for a situation they have helped create.”
Meanwhile, MLA Hugh MacKay has made another post on his Facebook page apologizing for his earlier remarks, which at the time he called “tough words for a tough problem.”
MacKay says he failed to properly address the social determinants of health and apologized to anyone he offended.
He says Healthcare is a complex issue that is multifaceted and his post did not reflect that.
A spokesperson for MacKay told Acadia News that would be the only comment made on the subject at this time.
Read the full statement below:
“I would like to sincerely apologize for my post on healthcare yesterday. As many folks pointed out, I failed to properly address the social determinants of health. And I apologize to those who were offended. Healthcare is a complex issue that is multifaceted and my post did not reflect this. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond with your comments and concerns.”
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
