One of the institutions that defines Canada both domestically and internationally is our universal healthcare system.
A group in New Brunswick is concerned about the future of that institution in the province because the Federal government has unilaterally imposed a new funding formula instead of renegotiating the agreement – which means a steep drop in Health Transfer Payments.
Jean Claude Basque is the co chair for the New Brunswick Health Coalition and he says the Federal Government is reducing funding by $36 billion annually, which means millions of dollars will be lost to the province.
“The reality is that there’s going to be more money kept at the Federal level,” says Basque. “And for New Brunswick over the next ten years we’re going to lose $715 million.”
Basque says the previous Health Accord of 2004 expired in March of this year, and the replacement funding formula was handed down from on high without provincial input.
He says the Health Coalition wants a few things from the government.
“We want a public health system that is not fragmented in 14 separate systems working independently and that is certainly the role of the Federal Government,” says Basque. “And that’s why it’s so important to negotiate with the provinces to have funding that is adequate.”
Basque says the Coalition also wants a continuing care strategy that would integrate home, facility based long term, respit end palliative care services; as Pharmacare program that provides universal and equitable access to safe and appropriate medication for all Canadians.
He also says the Federal Government must enforce national standards in the Canada Health Act, including the ban on user fees and extra billing, and enforcement of reporting requirements.
