(OTTAWA) Health Secretary Jean-Yves Duclos on Friday spoke of two of the “key common indicators of health” that provinces should share with the federal government – all relating to patient records – for an agreement to be reached on increasing health transfers.
Posted 2:47pm Updated 4:14pm
Michel Saba The Canadian Press
“Let me give you two numbers: 35 percent in both cases,” the minister first said at a news conference in Ottawa, a thinly veiled nod to the proportion of healthcare spending that provinces are charging from Ottawa. The federal government currently reimburses 22% of the costs, the difference is estimated at 28 billion.
So 35%, said Mr Duclos in response to a question, is the current percentage of healthcare professionals who can collaborate by sharing data about a patient’s health and also that of people who have access to their electronic health record.
The minister’s office later confirmed that those two figures refer to the “common health keys” demanded as conditions for increased health transfers in early November.
Mr Duclos argued on Friday that Canada is “behind” the rest of the world in terms of the quality and availability of data healthcare workers can use, putting “tremendous pressure” on them. “With better data, lives can be saved,” he added.
Thus, the minister explained that the data exchange to which he refers first takes place in the health systems themselves, but then the indicators “provide better information on how to improve the efficiency and equity of care”.
As we improve the quality and availability of data in hospitals, doctor’s offices, pharmacies and all pharmacies across Canada, we are bound to give provinces and territories a better sense of how to improve healthcare management and where it is needed to invest their resources now.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
“Very optimistic”
The minister was “very optimistic” about concluding an agreement between the federal and state governments to increase health transfers. In addition, the talks were “moving forward well,” he noted. According to him, this warming is due in particular to “a change of tone” and a “change of direction” in recent weeks.
“I think everyone now agrees, including the Prime Ministers, that we need to work towards outcomes that matter for workers and patients,” he said.
Two federal sources have also told The Canadian Press that talks are underway to schedule a meeting between provincial ministers in Ottawa in February to discuss health transfers. It has not been confirmed at this time that the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, intends to attend – as requested by the Provincial Premiers – nor that this meeting will serve to conclude an agreement.
Walking through Shawinigan on Wednesday, Mr Trudeau said he had seen a “dynamism” in negotiations with provinces to increase health transfers. “There’s still a lot to do, but we feel like there’s a very positive dynamic,” he said.
On the same day, Quebec Premier François Legault said he hoped the provinces would settle the issue of health referrals with Ottawa as soon as possible in the coming weeks.
Stressing that Quebec and Ontario are willing to share data on their health networks with Justin Trudeau’s federal government, he indicated that he would not go so far as to break the provincial common front in order for Quebec to increase its funding receives.
In a message sent to The Canadian Press, Mr Legault’s office said it continues to oppose “any conditions” imposed by the federal government on federal health transfers.
“For us, data exchange is not a condition, but a question of transparency. Christian Dubé (the provincial health minister) is already compiling data for all Quebecers, we don’t mind sharing it at the federal level as well,” wrote the prime minister’s press attaché.
No patchwork, says Ford
PHOTO CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVE
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also said Friday that there will be no individual agreements between a province and Ottawa on federal health transfers.
Mr Ford recalled that all Prime Ministers had agreed to work together and remain united in a common front towards Ottawa.
However, he said earlier this month that Ontario is willing to accept certain conditions that come with an increase in Canada’s healthcare transfer, provided Ottawa gives the province some “flexibility” in return.
Mr. Ford gave no indication of the imminent conclusion of an agreement with the federal government.