Earlier this month I had the opportunity to meet with health officials and Ministers in the Saskatchewan government in Regina. The meetings were positive and allowed for an open and frank discussion regarding best health practices, as well as discussing the challenges and opportunities facing our provinces. The need to address the future of health care in Manitoba and across Canada is critical. The cost of health care has grown dramatically over the past decade. One analyst indicated that if spending continues on the current pace in health care, in 15 years we could have only two departments left in government, Finance and Health.
Those cost pressures on health care means that we must be open minded and creative as we look to solutions. Our government is simply not in a position to take options off the table and any ideas that might create better health-care outcomes for Manitobans while keeping the system sustainable must be considered.
In my meetings in Saskatchewan and in meeting with those involved in the health care system in Manitoba, there is a growing understanding that creative thinking is important in delivering health services. Across Canada, every province is wrestling with the difficulty in finding ways to meet health care demands in a financially sustainable way. It is a challenge that the federal government is also dealing with. These discussions are critically important because while it is necessary that quality health care is available to those who need it today, it is equally important that the system is sustainable and available for future generations who need it as well.
I look forward to continuing to meet with Manitoba health care providers and officials from other provinces as we work together to find new and creative ways to ensure our health care system is strong and sustainable.
