Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos stands up during the question-and-answer session in Ottawa on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Duclos held a press conference on Friday to announce his new support for health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Adrian Wyld Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the federal government will commit another $ 2 billion to help provincial health systems work through the surgical and diagnostic delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The money, included in the recently submitted C-17 bill, follows a $ 4 billion addition to the federal health transfer last summer and is expected to be a one-off payment, to be shared equally by population. Throughout the pandemic, hospitals across the country had to delay non-emergency procedures to create COVID-19 emergencies. This has led to delayed care for millions of Canadians, in addition to the already long waiting lists for many procedures and diagnostic tests. In a report released last month, the Ontario Medical Association estimated that the pandemic had delayed 21 million patient services in the province alone, including surgeries for preventive care, cancer screening and diagnostics. In addition, he said, doctors report that patients “who would have been diagnosed and treated earlier come later and get sicker” because of the pandemic. “These delays are a burden that can be very difficult for affected patients, their families and loved ones, as well as for the health care workers who care for them,” Duclos said. The Liberals have pledged $ 6 billion in direct investment to address delays in campaigning for the 2021 federal election. Provinces have asked the federal government to provide an increased share of health spending in the long run so they can make more sustainable changes to address stress in their health care systems. Duclos presented what he called the federal government’s vision for co-operation with provinces and counties in healthcare, citing as an example bilateral government agreements on childcare and housing. “We need to recognize that if we do not act quickly and decisively, the long-term survival of the universal and public health system that Canadians love is at stake,” Duclos said. “Canadians are not interested in a jurisdictional debate or a fiscal or economic struggle.” This co-operation will focus on five priority areas, the minister said: backlogs and hiring and retaining health workers. access to primary care; long-term care and home care; mental health and addictions; and digital health and virtual care. Bill C-17 will also give municipalities the power to address transit shortages and improve supply and affordable housing, in conjunction with provinces and territories. The federal government has already announced a $ 750 million transfer, a one-off payment to help cities maintain service levels despite reduced passenger traffic as a result of the pandemic.
