THE TIME TO REFORM AND SUSTAIN MEDICARE IS NOW

Premier Lorne Calvert today called on his fellow premiers to work together for Canadians and put in place a plan to reform and sustain Medicare.

"The time is now. The needs of citizens, such as those waiting for surgery, have to come first. The days of federal, provincial and territorial wrangling have to give way to a new co-operative effort by all governments to work together to better meet the health care needs of Canadians," Calvert said.

Calvert made the statement before traveling to attend the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, July 28th-30th.

"Health care reform and sustainability is my number one priority at this meeting. I expect it to dominate our discussions," Calvert said. "This meeting is taking place just six weeks before the First Ministers' Health Summit called by the Prime Minister."

Calvert said there are limits to what provinces and territories can achieve in terms of reforming and sustaining medicare without an effective financial partnership with Ottawa.

"We need the Prime Minister to demonstrate, through action, how the federal government can become an effective partner with provinces and territories in sustaining medicare for Saskatchewan and all Canadians," Calvert said.

"Federal funding must be adequate, predictable and sustainable for both current health programs as well as any new or expanded programs that First Ministers may endorse. This funding must also be protected from arbitrary and unilateral federal decisions."

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For More Information, Contact:

Anna Willey Executive Council Niagara-on-the-Lake Cell: (306)536-5750

Carolyn Rebeyka Media Services Regina Phone: (306) 787-0963 Cell: (306)539-7641