ROMANOW COMMENTS ON REPORT OF NATIONAL FORUM ON HEALTH

Released on February 4, 1997

Premier Roy Romanow today said he was generally supportive of many of
the recommendations released by the federal government's National Forum
on Health today. But he added implementation is going to require more
than words from the federal government.

"There are some good words in this report," Romanow said. "The issue
is, where's the wallet? There needs to be an end to unilateral federal
cuts to the health care system -- $7 billion already -- and a
commitment, at least, to a gradual return to previous levels.

"We also need a commitment to a more co-operative federalism along the
lines of the partnership we are building on the proposed national child
benefit."

Romanow welcomed the forum's commitment to the basic principles of
medicare.

"Everyone has the right to health care, regardless of their ability to
pay. The national forum has reaffirmed these principles."

Romanow agrees with the forum's emphasis on home care and improving
primary care. The Premier made particular note of the forum's support
for an integrated child and family strategy, including a national child
benefit.

"I have been calling for this approach for a long time. Eliminating
child poverty is a key to improving the health of our population.
Progress on this issue should be a top priority for all governments
this year."

The forum proposes comprehensive national coverage for drugs and
medicines. Romanow said he was generally supportive of the idea with
two caveats: such a program would require a major, stable and long-term
financial commitment from the federal government; and in the long-term,
such a program would likely only be sustainable if Ottawa meets its
election commitment to review and amend drug patent legislation, passed
by the previous federal government, that is inflating drug costs.

"I find the forum's discussion on ways to finance improvements to the
health system to be rather slim."

Romanow called on the federal government to refer the recommendations
to the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministerial Council on Social
Policy Reform.

"We have already shown it can work -- it can create national solutions
in a consultative and inclusive manner, as we are doing with the
national child benefit," Romanow said.

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For more information, contact:

Tim Kydd
Media Services
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-0850