A doctor in a lab coat and stethoscope examines a patient in a Calgary health clinic on July 14, 2023. The Canadian Press
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is calling for improved tracking of health-care spending, following recent agreements between the federal government and provinces and territories. The CMA's new report highlights the need for more thorough monitoring of how these funds enhance healthcare services and patient outcomes.
The report points out several shortcomings in the agreements, such as the absence of specific targets for reducing emergency room closures. This lack of clear goals makes it challenging to gauge whether the allocated funds are effectively addressing critical issues within the health system.
In response, the CMA is proposing the creation of a national health accountability officer. This role would focus on overseeing the use of healthcare funds, tracking progress, and ensuring that money is spent efficiently. The goal is to make sure that significant investments in health care lead to meaningful improvements in service delivery and patient care.
Last year, the federal government committed $196 billion to enhance healthcare access over ten years, with about $45 billion being newly allocated funds. Provinces and territories were required to improve data sharing and track their progress as a condition for receiving this funding. By March, Quebec was the last province to agree to these terms.
The CMA's report reveals that many provinces and territories are falling short. Specifically, five do not have clear targets for providing electronic access to health data, and seven lack targets for sharing health information. The report stresses the importance of implementing proven strategies to ensure that this unprecedented level of funding genuinely transforms the health system.
Currently, over 6.5 million Canadians are without a primary care physician. There are significant surgical backlogs and a critical shortage of health professionals. Joss Reimer, president of the CMA, emphasizes that "enhanced accountability is crucial to successfully implementing durable changes in our health care system."
