Feds put in ‘two-cents’ worth to health and little more

Last week, after months of asking the federal government to step up to the plate and fulfill its commitment to health care in Canada, Ottawa has finally contributed its ‘two cents worth’ – and little more.

When medicare was introduced, Ottawa and the provinces agreed to share health-care costs on a 50-50 basis, but over the years the federal government dropped their share to 14 cents on the dollar.  This latest arrangement merely adds 2 per cent, or two federal cents on every health care dollar. The provinces will now foot 84 per cent of the cost.

While this latest arrangement is a step in the right direction, it’s certainly not the solution we had hoped for to ensure that our health care system remains sustainable and accessible for years to come.

Instead of grabbing hold of the opportunity to take advantage of predicted federal surpluses, Ottawa’s latest contribution has created more questions than it has answers.  Questions like, is a 2 per cent increase enough to ease doctor shortages, pay for more nurses, provide funding for CCAC needs, and support diagnostic equipment for local hospitals – such as Norfolk General’s proposal for a CT Scanner?  Is a 2 per cent increase really enough to pay for the many and varied health care priorities of the people of Canada, the people of Ontario and the people of Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant?

Unfortunately, the money announced will do nothing to put another new doctor in a small community.  It will do nothing to help your relative when they arrive at the Emergency Room in the middle of the night.  And it will do nothing to improve working conditions in hospitals or in long term care centres all across Ontario.

We are disappointed the numbers committed by Ottawa are not enough to meet the needs of front line core services, like hospitals, doctors and nurses. While the immediate needs of the provinces may have been met yesterday with $10-$12 Billion in new money over five years, the federal government has missed the opportunity to commit to a sustainable vision of health services for all Canadians.

In the wake of this missed opportunity, Ontario will continue to step into the federal funding void to provide the world-class health care system we all deserve.  In fact, Ontario’s health care budget this year is close to $26 billion dollars – considerably more than the $17.4 billion a year commitment we made in 1995.

The disappointing result from the latest federal/provincial health arrangement simply means that the Premiers will have to return to Ottawa and try to reach the partnership we had all hoped for, and were eager to achieve.

In the meantime our government will continue to move ahead.  The people of Ontario have told us what is near and dear to them, and we will continue with this health care plan to enhance core services, increase the number of health professionals, improve wait times, and promote wellness.

Every province and territory is committed to the principles of medicare.  And every Canadian must be able to access this vital public service, regardless of income and of where they live.  But it will not be possible for provinces and territories to fund the ongoing and significant increases in health care costs while the federal government’s share of health spending continues to lag.