Health accord features accountability and more money for provinces.

OTTAWA -- Dubbing the new Health Care Accord as historic and reflective of various federal and provincial reports, including the Romanow report on health care, Prime Minster Jean Chretien said that it also ensures that the health care system is "more accountable to the citizens who fund it."

Considerable discord accompanied the agreement, as the Prime Minister demanded strong accountability by the provinces, while the provinces did not get the funds they were demanding. While an agreement was reached, the premiers expressed their dissatisfaction by refusing to sign the announcement at the end of the meetings. Territorial government leaders walked out before the conclusion of the meeting.

The First Ministers Accord on Health Care Renewal raises federal health care funding over several years, including specific funds for home care and catastrophic drug coverage.

"Health care is the single most important priority of Canadians. Canadians want renewal for this generation and for generations to come. This Accord sets out an Action Plan that will ensure all Canadians have timely access to quality health care on the basis of need and not ability to pay," Chretien said.

Among the items agreed upon by the First Ministers is the establishment of a Health Council consisting of representatives of Canadians, governments and experts. The Council "will enable Canadians to assess health care system performance and the pace of the implementation of the Accord." In order to achieve these goals, clear objectives and a commitment to establishing comparable indicators on health system performance were also included in the Accord.

Monies transferred to the provinces have also increased substantially with provision for funds for Diagnostic and Medical equipment along with $2.5 billion in immediate transfer to "relieve existing pressures."

Other federal money transfers include:

* A $17.3 billion increase in health care funding over the next five which will increase to $34.8 billion over five years

* A new 5-year, $16 billion Health Reform Fund targeted to primary health care, home care and catastrophic drug coverage will be created

* A new Canada Health Transfer will be created by April 2004 to "enhance transparency and accountability and ensure predictable annual increases in health transfers."

* An additional $600 million will be provided by the federal government to continue to develop secure, electronic patient records.

* $500 million will be provided for research hospitals through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation

* an additional $2 billion will be infused into the health care system for the fiscal year 200304 if the Minister of Finance determines in January 2003 that "there will be a sufficient surplus above the normal contingency reserve to permit such an investment."

* The federal government will extend transfers for 2007-08 and will provide an additional $1.8 billion in new money which results in a $9.5 billion increase in transfers over the next five years.

* $1.6 billion will be provided over five years in direct health accord initiatives, including patient safety, Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment, Employment Insurance compassionate care, a GST rebate for health institutions, a national immunization strategy and governance and accountability.

* $1.3 billion is committed for the improvement of Aboriginal health with details to be defined through consultation with Aboriginal peoples.