Premier Pleased with Romanow Appointment

Roy Romanow’s appointment as head of a national commission on health care is a positive step to strengthening medicare, says Premier John Hamm. The former Saskatchewan premier was named to the position today by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

"Roy Romanow is an experienced, national voice who is passionately committed to the five principles of the Canada Health Act,” Premier Hamm said. “He brings to the table a welcome understanding of the challenges faced by provincial governments in delivering quality public health care. Our government looks forward to working with Mr. Romanow and his commission over the next 18 months to identify meaningful changes to modernize and improve medicare."

Premier Hamm added that he hopes the commission works with provincial and territorial governments to develop a common list of best practices in health care delivery.

"Nobody has a monopoly on good ideas," said the premier. “By looking at success stories in health care from other parts of the country, all provinces will find new ways to deliver better health care to their citizens.”

Lack of federal financial support continues to be one of the major barriers to achieving change in health care, the premier noted. Despite the increased transfers to the provinces announced by the prime minister in September, Nova Scotia is estimated to receive $106 million less through the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST)for the new fiscal year than it did in the 1993-94.

"Full and immediate restoration of the CHST will ensure that resources will be there to properly implement any changes suggested by the Romanow commission," concluded the premier. "While I support the establishment of this commission, it should not be used as an excuse by the federal government to not live up to its commitments to health care and social programs."