Increased Federal Health-Care Dollars "A Start"

Premier John Hamm welcomes new federal funding for health care, recommended today, Nov. 28, in the Romanow report. At the same time, he recognizes that it will be the prime minister who has the final say on how much new health-care money provinces will receive, when they will receive it and what, if any, strings will be attached.

Premier Hamm spoke today to the Empire Club in Toronto. His address was titled We're All in This Together -- Value-based Health-Care Service in Nova Scotia.

"Mr. Romanow recognizes the need for the federal government to contribute more to fund health care in Canada," said Premier Hamm. "It's time for the prime minister to hear what's being said and make that commitment to Canadians in the federal budget coming in a few months."

In his remarks, the premier outlined some examples of health-care quality and access improvements in Nova Scotia, including:

• a recruitment and retention program for health-care professionals;
• a comprehensive new patient information system;
• Nova Scotia's Cancer Patient Navigation System;
• additional diagnostic equipment (CAT scans, MRIs, bone densitometers);
• one of the best air- and ground-ambulance systems in North America;
• Canada's first provincewide 9-1-1 system;
• Canada's toughest anti-smoking legislation;
• a provincewide physical-activity strategy; and
• Canada's first stable, predictable, multi-year funding commitment to health care.

"It doesn't matter where you live, who you voted for, how much money you earn, or how much tax you pay," said the premier. "What matters is that we look out for each other, that we take good care of ourselves and that we do our very best for those who are sick and need help. We are all in this together."