Released on November 28, 2002
The Romanow Commission has delivered a positive vision for health carerenewal and now it's up to the federal and provincial governments to
deliver results, Premier Lorne Calvert said Thursday.
"The report recommends major improvements in the way health care is
delivered and funded, while protecting the core principles of Medicare,"
Calvert said.
"With the changes recommended in the Romanow report, we can find the right
solutions to ensure a strong future for our public Medicare system."
The Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, headed by Roy
Romanow, released its final report earlier today in Ottawa. Calvert said
that while he supports many of the general conclusions found in the report,
a more thorough review is needed before the government responds to the full
range of proposals.
Calvert noted the priorities of the Romanow report are consistent with the
priorities for change outlined in the Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health
Care.
"We are developing new, innovative approaches here in Saskatchewan that
will make the health system more responsive to patients and more cost-
effective," the premier said.
"The Romanow Commission complements the efforts we are making to improve
health quality, reduce waiting times and address health provider shortages."
Calvert supported the principle of establishing national approaches to home
care, pharmacare, primary health care and diagnostic services, but noted
they must be supported by adequate funding arrangements.
The premier applauded recommendations aimed at improving the health status
of Aboriginal Canadians and providing rural residents with better access to
health services.
The report recognizes the need for Ottawa to increase its share of health
spending to pay for change in the system and ensure adequate, sustainable
funding for the future. Calvert said it is too soon to determine precisely
how Saskatchewan would benefit from the recommendations.
Calvert supported the report's conclusions that the federal government has
enough surplus capacity in its budget to boost health spending without a
tax increase.
He said every health care dollar received from Ottawa goes toward health
programs and the Saskatchewan government reports publicly on health
expenditures and health outcomes. However, the province welcomes changes
that will make the system more accountable to citizens.
In delivering the government's submission to the Romanow Commission last
April, Calvert recommended replacing the Canada Health and Social Transfer
with a dedicated health transfer that clearly shows how much the federal
government spends on health care.
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