With the 2024 federal budget soon to be unveiled, Canadians are anticipating the government’s plans for addressing issues in the health-care system. The Liberal government has already announced initiatives such as a national food program and a new health-care deal. However, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) warns that without proper investment, the health-care system will struggle to meet patient needs. The CMA is urging the government to focus on addressing gaps in the system, such as team-based medical care, virtual care, and reducing administrative burdens.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland believes that the upcoming budget will help alleviate the strained conditions facing Canada’s health-care system. While specific details of the budget have not been revealed, Holland expressed excitement about initiatives such as the school food program. The government also recently announced a billion-dollar funding for a national school food program to provide healthy meals to children. Holland emphasized the importance of investing in programs that promote healthy eating habits and improve outcomes for youth.
Holland highlighted recent milestones in health care, including a new pharmacare agreement and bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories to improve access to family doctors and alleviate system backlogs. He acknowledges that progress will not happen overnight but believes that incremental improvements are being made every day. However, CMA President Dr. Kathleen Ross disagrees with the notion that Canada has the best health system in the world, citing shortages in providers, acute care beds, and access to care. She stresses the need for continued collaboration and substantial investment in health care to address the ongoing crisis.
Ross emphasizes the importance of measurable results, improving access to care, working conditions for physicians, and modernizing the health-care system. She believes that it will take years to build sustainable health-care solutions and calls for ongoing commitment from the government. Ross underlines the need for transformation in data collection, care delivery, and team-based care to address long-standing issues in the health-care system. She stresses that the challenge has been brewing for decades and that health care has been underfunded and under-resourced, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul.
Overall, the upcoming federal budget is expected to address various sectors, including health care, education, housing, and food security. The government’s commitment to tackling issues in the health-care system is evident through initiatives like the school food program and recent agreements with provinces and territories. While progress is being made, there is still a need for increased investment, collaboration, and modernization to ensure that all Canadians have access to quality care. The ongoing crisis in the health-care system requires a long-term commitment from the government to implement sustainable solutions and address the underlying issues that have plagued the system for years.
