PRESS RELEASE
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November 28, 2002 Romanow Report Self Serving The former NDP Saskatchewan premier, at a cost of some 15 million for the report, falls far short of fixing the current health system by simply throwing an additional 15 billion of tax payers money over the next three years into a public system already wrought with high costs, long waiting times, bed closures etc. Recommending that the federal government only reimburse provinces with 25% of their cost. What ever happened to the 50/50 split the federal government agreed to which later became 60/40, the 60% of course paid for by the province? The BC provincial yearly expenditure of health care is about 10.4 billion of which the federal government now only kicks in 14% (1.46 billion). A far cry from the 50% (5.2 billion) the feds first promised. It is also clear that the report was not interested on proposals to expand the private sector's role. In fact, he is recommending the creation of a new Health Council of Canada to keep an eye on both Ottawa and the provinces. Canadians do not need another big brother. Which does not mean we cannot co-exist with one another. However health care is the responsibility of the provinces not the federal government. Canada currently relies too heavily on taxation to support its health care system. There is no question, in the minds of many that we need to increase the role of the private sector. A well-run health care system cannot continue to be solely dependent upon the government at taxpayer's expense. To begin with, we need to encourage private minor medical services that provide employment opportunities. That in it self would decrease waiting time for major medical care. -30- For More Information contact: |