CMA from the floor: Ottawa has a role supporting health care innovation, says new federal health minister in inaugural speech

Calgary | In her first speech as federal health minister, Rona Ambrose told physicians at the Canadian Medical Association annual meeting that Ottawa will do more to support innovation in Canada’s health-care system.“That is our policy challenge and one which I plan to lead in my tenure as health minister: improving our system in a way that will maintain the integrity of our publicly funded system but capture productivity gains so our system is sustainable,” she said.She pointed out that Canada spends 11% of GDP on health care and that federal health funding alone will rise form $30.3 billiion this year to more than $40 billion by the end of the decade. “The reality is that increased spending doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting better results,” she told doctors.In her remarks, Ambrose cited a report by former Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge where he said: “The expansion of the scope and quality of health-care services, coupled with the apparent low rates of productivity growth in the health-care sector, has meant that the share of national income devoted to health care has increased substantially in the last decades.”She said that technology can drive a rise in productivity that will improve the efficiency of the delivery system. “This is the policy challenge that I believe is worthy of federal leadership and an area I believe we can make gains together,” Ambrose said. “In the coming months, you will hear more from me on the topic of innovation and research as a means to make our health system more efficient, more sustainable and more productive and I took forward to your feedback.”But according to Dr. Monika Dutt, chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, some of Ambrose’s comments were “troubling.”Dr. Dutt said the government is using “skewed” numbers about ballooning health spending.“Really, as a percentage of GDP, (health budgets) are not going up,” said Dr. Dutt.However, Dr. Dutt said Ambrose’s message was positive, and she expressed hope the government would again take a greater role in drafting national standards and enforcing the Canada Health Act.She also said Ottawa should help in creating a national pharmacare plan and be a partner as health professionals craft senior home-care strategies.“The federal government could play a key role,” she said.CMA general council speaker said that as Ambrose had only recently been appointed as health minister she wouldn’t take questions from doctor delegates as health ministers have done in previous years.The new health minister also spoke about her interest in combating family violence, supporting preventive health care, boosting integration of health care delivery to First Nations and strengthening consumer and product safety.

CMA from the floor: Ottawa has a role supporting health care innovation, says new federal health minister in inaugural speech

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