The Chair of the Province’s Economic Recovery Team says we cannot shy away from uncomfortable conversations about our healthcare system as we try to create an economic plan moving forward.

Dame Moya Greene was appointed in September by Andrew Furey to Lead the team.

Speaking at the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Conference last night, Greene was asked if her team is willing to have “uncomfortable” conversations about closing rural hospitals in favour of regionalizing to larger areas.

Greene says healthcare is about 25 per cent of the province’s total expenditures, and that it is a conversation we have to have. However, she notes that her team will be guided on that front by the advice of the Health Accord NL team and that they will be mindful of that team’s advice on the subject.

She does note, however, that to be successful we have to be more mindful of our future needs, rather than focusing on what was needed 25 years ago.