New Health Approach Good News for Nova Scotians

Today's agreement by Canada's premiers and territorial leaders will result in better health care for Nova Scotians, if accepted by Ottawa, Premier John Hamm said today, July 30.

"It's time for action by all governments, not more finger- pointing," said the premier. "The partnership being proposed is an excellent starting point for a serious and comprehensive discussion with Ottawa to act now to improve health care."

At the Council of the Federation meeting today at Niagara-on-the- Lake, Ont., premiers agreed to the following points to present to the prime minister at the First Ministers' Meeting scheduled for September:

• the federal government must act on its promise to establish and fund a national pharmacare program, built upon the best practices of individual provincial plans currently in place;
• the need for an immediate federal infusion to cover 25 per cent of health-care costs, with an escalator to cover increased costs in future years;
• a commitment that increased federal health transfers won't be offset by cuts to equalization;
• strengthening of equalization to be determined through the meeting on fiscal imbalance promised by Prime Minister Paul Martin before the next federal budget.

"If accepted by the federal government, this new partnership would help Nova Scotia make significant new investments in reducing wait times," said Premier Hamm. "I look forward to a constructive discussion with the prime minister in September through which Nova Scotia can outline the progress we have made so far in health-care improvements, the existing challenges we need to address, and how much money it will take to put health care on a sound footing for patients and their families."

Last year, Nova Scotia released Your Health Matters -- a multi- year plan to improve health by reducing wait times, hiring more doctors, nurses and other health professionals, expanding care for seniors and focusing more on healthy lifestyles.

In its final communique, the Council of the Federation recognized Nova Scotia's leadership role in creating the country's first Office of Health Promotion.

"Better health care is not just about treating the patient, it's about encouraging people to make better choices for their own health," said the premier. "That's why a key part of Your Health Matters is a focus on healthy living."

Premier Hamm added that all premiers have reiterated their support for being publicly accountable for health-care spending.

"Taxpayers deserve to know that their dollars are being properly spent on health and that those dollars improve access to service and the health and well-being of our citizens," said the premier.