By Livio Di Matteo Canada, Canada Health Act, Canada Health Transfer, Canadian health care, Canadian medicare, Federal health transfers, Health care costs, Health care costs and spending, healthcare funding, Public health spending
The Canadian fiscal transfer system is relatively simple and designed to address fiscal imbalances arising from economic differences across provinces and territories that are related to per capita income and natural resource endowments.
By Livio Di Matteo access to health care, budgets, Canada, Canada Health Transfer, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, global budgets, Health care costs and spending, Health policy, health promotion
A version of this commentary appeared in the Hill Times, Huffington Post, and the Canadian Healthcare Network The last few years have seen some dramatic changes to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), which in 2017-18 will total $37.150 billion — no small figure. The Harper era saw the move to a full per capita funding formula without […]
By John Have and Robert L. Brown benefits, Canada healthcare system, Health care costs, Health care costs and spending, private healthcare, private healthcare costs, publicly funded healthcare system, savings
Imagine having your private health insurance — dental, vision, prescription drug, life, travel and disability coverage — suddenly terminated by your employer at age 65 while you’re still working for them, and just when you may really need it.
By John Have and Robert L. Brown benefits, Canada healthcare system, Health care costs, Health care costs and spending, private healthcare, private healthcare costs, publicly funded healthcare system, savings
Last week, the media carried a story about a nine-year-old boy in New Brunswick who was denied private health coverage because of his weight (at 5 foot 2 inches and 135 pounds). His family were shocked – as were many reading the story – that a child could be denied private health coverage in Canada.
By Livio Di Matteo access to health care, budgets, Canada, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, global budgets, Health care costs and spending, Health policy, health promotion
The recent negotiations between the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Government highlight the complex relationship between physicians and health spending.
By Karen S. Palmer Acces-based funding, access to health care, activity-based funding, budgets, Canadian health care, global budgets, Health care costs and spending, hopitalization, upcoding
In a dramatic show of physician support for deep health care reform in the U.S, more than 2,200 physician leaders have signed a “Physician’s Proposal” calling for sweeping change.
By Livio Di Matteo and Greg Marchildon access to health care, activity-based funding, budgets, Canada, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, global budgets, Health care costs and spending, Health policy, health promotion
Canadian economists received a pleasant surprise this year: expenditure growth on public healthcare in Canada finally appears to be slowing down. However, it is unclear if this slowdown is the result of explicit success in sustainably bending the cost-curve or more short-term cost-cutting in response to slower economic growth or future federal health transfers.
By Nick Mohtadi Alberta, Alberta health minister, Alberta’s private MRI clinics, back pain, Choosing Wisely Canada, efficiency, Health care costs, Health care costs and spending, medial tests, MRI wait list, Stephen Mandel, unecessary tests, wait times
Value for money appears to be finally getting the attention it merits as Alberta’s new health minister, Stephen Mandel, takes the reins of the portfolio that is close to consuming 50% of the province’s operating budget.
By Ryan Meili access to health care, affordable housing, budgets, Canada, Canadian health care, Canadian healthcare system, economy, education, Health care costs and spending, Low-income children, Mental health, wealth
A moneylender sees the light, discovering a spirit of giving and generosity. It’s a classic Christmas tale of redemption — and redistribution — but this year the convert in question appears to be one of Canada’s biggest banks.
By Karen S. Palmer and Gordon Guyatt Acces-based funding, access to health care, activity-based funding, budgets, Canadian health care, global budgets, Health care costs and spending, hopitalization, upcoding
Most Canadians probably don’t realize that health care in Canada is quietly undergoing a major transformation in funding that could significantly impact patients. Three provinces are implementing a new funding model for hospitals and other provinces are watching with interest.