‘This Is Great’: Austin On Health-Care Reform Reversal

The leader of the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick says he is glad the province has reversed controversial health-care reforms.

Six communities would have seen their emergency rooms close from midnight to 8 a.m. starting March 11.

But after days of backlash following last Tuesday’s announcement, Premier Blaine Higgs announced late Sunday he would cancel the changes until consultations could be done.

Speaking at a rally Monday in Sussex — one of the affected communities — Kris Austin said closing the emergency rooms overnight was a “poorly thought-out decision.”

“I want to be clear, when this announcement came out, we weren’t part of it,” Austin told the crowd.

“Yes, everybody agrees health-care reform is a must. We’re currently in a crisis with our health care. But closing ERs at night to take doctors to a different area with the patients going to a different area just doesn’t make sense,” he said.

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Days after the initial announcement, Austin said he is still unsure of the reason behind the reforms.

He said the backtracking by Premier Blaine Higgs shows minority governments do work.

“If this had of been a majority government, you folks would have lost more than your ER at night, I’m telling you,” said Austin.

“That’s why minority governments work in the best interest of people because no one party has final say over the decisions of New Brunswick.”