Manitoba’s Doctors Supporting Response to Trade Tensions
Doctors Manitoba released research and an action plan today to support Manitoba’s response to the growing trade tensions with the United States.
“Manitoba’s doctors are very concerned about the economic uncertainty caused by U.S. tariff threats,” explained Dr. Randy Guzman, President of Doctors Manitoba. “Doctors are concerned first about their patients’ well-being, and also about the impact this trade dispute could have on health care.”
In response to the unpredictable and rapidly developing situation, Doctors Manitoba has surveyed physicians. The results are included in a new report released today, which also includes a recommended action plan to “tariff proof” the health care system along with Manitobans’ health and well-being. This advice includes:
- Supporting Manitobans with economic, physical, and mental health support.
- Extending buy-local initiatives to the health care sector.
- Avoiding health care impacts in any tariff retaliation.
- Continuing increases to health care funding along side any economic responses.
Doctors Manitoba has also taken the following actions to support the response:
- Publishing advice on GettingHealthy.ca for Manitobans on coping with the prolonged uncertainty this dispute is causing
- Amending our procurement practices to prioritize buying local whenever possible.
- Continuing our U.S. doctor recruitment campaign at ManitobaMD.com.
Physicians have been asked to identify equipment and supplies from the U.S. that could be vulnerable to supply disruptions or price increases.
Dr. Guzman emphasized why doctors are focusing on this economic issue. “When the pandemic crisis hit, Manitobans were here for doctors. As Manitoba now faces an unpredictable economic crisis, doctors are here for you.”