New Democrat MPP Andrea Horwath is pressing to stave off the closure of an important community program for Hamilton’s expecting and new moms and their babies.

Due to lack of provincial government funding, St. Joseph’s Healthcare was forced to adopt drastic cost-cutting measures that closed down Baby’s Best Start Program on Wednesday, Horwath said.

“After operating this vital service for 15 years, suddenly the doors are closing on what has been a mainstay of support for infants and moms. This is chilling and it’s just plain wrong. The McGuinty government needs to take responsibility for funding so that babies continue to get a best start in Hamilton through this very successful program.”

Horwath is approaching various government ministries for funding. Right now, 2 of 5 program locations continue to operate on short-term using emergency funding from the city. Horwath, Ontario’s NDP Critic for Children and Youth, says shifting the cost on the municipality is neither a viable or sustainable solution.

Baby’s Best Start is a group education program serving 138 women and more than 200 babies. Weekly meetings cover topics such as nutrition, wellness, healthy pregnancies and child-raising with primarily low-income, immigrant or teen mothers, many of them receiving social assistance.

“This is the kind of support these mothers need. During the sessions, women can find personal support, counseling, vitamins, child care for their preschoolers, social interaction and meaningful help from qualified professionals,” Horwath said. “It’s not something we can let the province turn its back on because it saves money down the road by enhancing lives today.

Horwath noted health care services are in decline in spite of the McGuinty health tax grab.

“Our community has lost its public blood labs, seniors’ dentistry, programs for newborns and moms,” Horwath said. “Services are eroding, even disappearing. How is it possible to lose so much when people are paying so much more for health care? “