Agreement in Canada increases federal spending for health care

[question everything]

By Clifford Krauss
NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

September 18, 2004

TORONTO– Prime Minister Paul Martin gained a major victory for his flagging government Thursday by reaching an agreement with provincial and territorial leaders that would substantially increase federal spending for Canada's ailing $60 billion national health-care system.

After three days of contentious negotiations, the officials agreed to send $14 billion in federal money over six years to the 13 provinces and territories that administer health care, with guarantees of additional 6 percent annual increases through 2015.

Still, the agreement will fall far short of fulfilling Martin's upbeat pledges in the recent election campaign to "fix the system for a generation."

The increases in spending will barely keep up with rising costs. It will also cut into the government's capacity to manage growing urban problems such as homelessness and to fulfill promises to improve education and rebuild the armed forces, especially if the currently robust economy slows.


Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040918/news_2n18canada.html

[Maple]

1. How did it get to be

a 'flagging government'? Parliament hasn't even started yet!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. Are you telling me

that for much less than the cost of the bush war to avenge his daddie, we could give healthcare to our entire country?

[Massacure]

4. The U.S. spends 1.5 trillion dollars on healthcare annually, if I recall

That is about 2/3 our budget. I have no clue how much of that is profits/waste/etc...

[Massacure]

3. The industry will always try to cheat the government.

The only way to get around it is for the government to own a near-monopoly on the industry.