Letter to Editor in response to: "Advocate seeks support in fight against medicare cuts" (New Brunswick Telegraph Journal May 9, 2013)

2013-059
May 10, 2013

OTTAWA - I am writing in response to an article ("Advocate seeks support in fight against medicare cuts") which characterizes the federal health care transfer funding formula to the provinces as a federal funding cut.

In fact, our government has significantly increased transfers to the provinces and territories for health care to record levels. In Economic Action Plan 2013 we reaffirmed that funding will continue to grow - it will reach $30.3 billion in 2013-14 and a minimum of $38 billion by 2018-19.

This is an increase in health transfers; plain and simple.

This future growth path of transfers to the provinces and territories will provide sustainable and predictable funding to support health care for all Canadians. The Canada Health Transfer will continue to grow by 6% this year, and in each of the next three years, and in 2017-18, this growth will be linked to nominal gross domestic product growth - guaranteed to increase by at least 3 % per year.

While respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction, the Government of Canada also plays a key role in health care innovation with more than $1 billion invested annually in health research, health human resources and e-health.

Our government remains committed to a strong, publicly funded health care system that provides Canadian families with access to health care services when and where they need them.

Sincerely,

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health

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