Premier Grimes comments on draft health accord

Premiers met today in Toronto to discuss the future health care needs of Canadians and agreed on a draft health accord that will provide the basis for discussion at the First Ministers� Meeting in Ottawa on February 4 and 5, 2003.

"This draft accord represents the view of premiers on what is necessary for renewed and sustainable health care in Canada," said Premier Grimes.

The draft accord includes reaffirmation of the premiers� commitment that "Canadians will have publicly funded health care systems that provide quality health services and that promote the health and well-being of Canadians in a cost effective and fair manner" as well as a re-commitment to the five principles of the Canada Health Act - that health care must be universal, accessible, comprehensive, portable and publicly administered.

"I am particularly pleased that this draft accord sets out the necessity of reforming Equalization," said Premier Grimes, "as a strengthened and fairer Equalization program is absolutely necessary to ensure our ability to deliver the health care services that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians need and deserve. I am also pleased that we agree that the federal government should create, within one year, a dedicated Canada Health Transfer that will clearly show how much the federal government contributes to Canadians� health care and that will provide sustainable health care funding."

Premiers agreed to a list of health care priorities including; enhancing primary health care, home and community care, community mental health and medical diagnostic services. The priorities also include health human resources, pharmaceuticals, shortening waiting times and a focus on healthy living.

"We had a most productive meeting today," said Premier Grimes, " and I trust that our meeting with the Prime Minister in two weeks time will be equally productive."

First Ministers' Accord on Sustaining and Renewing Health Care for Canadians 

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960.

2003 01 23                                       5:20 p.m.