The British Columbia Health Coalition is batting for a new health accord, an agreement between the provinces, territories and federal government to provide provinces with stable health funding as it slammed the Harper government plan to cut funding by $36 billion.
The 2004 Health Accord expired March 31st, 2014 after the federal government refused to renegotiate it. The 2004 Health Accord was important in promoting national standards and providing stable funding after deep cuts in the 1990s.
The First Ministers recommitted to the Canada Health Act and its requirements which includes public administration, universal access, and comprehensive coverage, accessibility without extra charges or discrimination, and portability across provinces.
The Accord also included a set of common goals around wait times, home care, prescription drugs, and team-based primary care.
The health agreement allowed for some progress. For example, on wait times, 8 out of 10 Canadians were getting treatment within the timelines set in 2005 for the five chosen procedures.
In other areas (home care, drugs, and primary care) progress has been poor because the governments set only loose goals, with no financial strings attached.
The Harper government did not renew the Health Accord in 2014. This lack of federal leadership in health care will lead to 14 different health care systems. Access will depend on where you live and your ability to pay.
In December 2011, the Harper government announced a major cut to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) of $36 billion over 10 years beginning in 2017. In addition, the equalization portion of the CHT was eliminated in 2014, which effectively reduce transfers by another $16.5 billion over the next five years.
According to the BC Health Coalition, we have an aging population and an increasing demand for health care services at present. Unless federal funding is stable and adequate, our cherished public health care system is in danger.
It was revealed that the Harper government’s plan to dismantle national Medicare include the abandonment of the National Pharmaceutical Strategy from the 2004 Accord.
According to the Health Council of Canada, the pharmaceutical strategy was integral to the renewal and sustainability of the entire health care system. Instead of insisting on value for money for prescription drugs, the Harper government agreed to extend patent protection for brand-name drugs and increase drug costs to Canadians by between $850 million and $1.6 billion a year.
“We have organized a National Day of Action to alert Canadians that the federal government has let the Health Accord expire in 2014 and has failed to show leadership in health care, cutting $36 billion to health transfers over 10 years,” the BC Health Coalition said.
“There is a need for federal leadership to negotiate a new 10-year Health Accord with provincial and territorial governments to secure the health care needs of citizens in all regions and into the future,” they added.
This accord would include:
A Continuing Care Plan that integrates home, facility-based long-term, respite & palliative care;
A universal public drug plan that provides equitable access to safe and appropriate medication; and
Adequate and stable federal funding including a 6 per cent escalator.
