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Canada's federal and provincial governments reach agreement over healthcare spending

Quebec David Spurgeon

Canada’s Prime Minister Paul Martin, provincial prime ministers, and territorial leaders have reached a new, 10 year agreement on reforming the country’s health system that will cost the federal government $C41.2bn (£17.7bn; $31.8bn; €26bn).

The deal promises reductions in patients’ waiting times for access to the system; an increase in the number of health professionals; some short term home care and end of life services; increased funding and reforms for northern communities; a national pharmaceuticals strategy whereby patients would be covered for illnesses that had exceptionally high treatment costs; and a new immunisation programme for children.

The initial response from the Canadian Medical Association, nurses, pharmacists, and healthcare associations was positive. The president of the Canadian Medical Association, Albert Schumacher, called it a "step in the right direction." Although his association’s proposal for a fund to reduce waiting lists was not accepted, Dr Schumacher said: "They [the . . . [Full text of this article]

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