Released on June 17, 1998
Canada's national Medicare system is one of our country's proudestachievements and the time is right for Ottawa to renew its commitment
to it, Premier Roy Romanow said today.
The same message was delivered to Prime Minister Jean Chretien today
by the National Health Coalition.
"The national contribution to Medicare has declined from 50 cents on
the dollar to 13 cents on the dollar," Romanow said. "Our national
government is becoming an increasingly junior partner in maintaining
our health system. That means our national government is losing its
moral and practical ability to help ensure common standards."
Earlier this week, provincial finance ministers jointly urged the
federal government to begin restoring the $6 billion Ottawa has cut
from transfer payments for health care and other social programs.
Romanow met last week with Shirley Douglas of the National Health
Coalition. Ms. Douglas, daughter of Tommy Douglas, is a proponent of
preserving Medicare and is opposed to a two-tier system of health
services.
"Ms. Douglas and I had some very productive discussions," Romanow
said. "We share a strong common interest in ensuring Canada's
national commitment to Medicare is strengthened and renewed."
Saskatchewan will invest $1.72 billion in its health system this
year - the largest health budget in the history of the province.
The federal contribution to Saskatchewan's social programs have
declined by $200 million a year, compared to 1995/1996.
Nationally, federal investment in health and other social
programs is now frozen at $12.5 billion. In consequence, the
federal share of the health care budget is currently slated to
continue to decline, as the cost of health services continues to
rise.
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Julianne Jack
Media Services
Regina
Phone: (306)787-6349