Kirby takes Romanow to task over

Romanow report viewed as positive for pension plan sponsors (December 2, 2002) The head of a Senate committee on healthcare says he agrees with Roy Romanow’s conclusion that the system needs reform as soon as possible, but Senator Michael Kirby says there’s disagreement between the two on how that goal can best be achieved. The […]

By Doug Watt | December 2, 2002 | Last updated on December 2, 2002
3 min read
  • Romanow report viewed as positive for pension plan sponsors
  • Romanow’s vision of healthcare challenged
  • Despite Romanow’s optimism, advisors recommend “defensive” healthcare planning
  • Romanow says medicare system needs an extra $15 billion from Ottawa
  • New taxes could pay for additional healthcare funding, Senate committee suggests

    Both the Senate committee and the Romanow reported recommended Ottawa commit to billions of dollars in new healthcare funding. Kirby’s report suggested the price tag would be around $5 billion annually, while Romanow tagged the cost at around $15 billion over four years.

    Romanow said the new health spending could be funded entirely from surpluses, while Kirby’s report suggested the implementation of a new, dedicated health tax added to the GST, or an annual healthcare premium tied to income. Kirby defended his approach, suggesting that healthcare funding should not be reliant on a prediction of “permanent” federal surpluses.

    Kirby will speak further on the Romanow report and its recommendations on Wednesday in Halifax.

    Filed by Doug Watt, Advisor.ca, dwatt@advisor.ca

    (12/02/02)

    Doug Watt

  • Romanow report viewed as positive for pension plan sponsors
  • Romanow’s vision of healthcare challenged
  • Despite Romanow’s optimism, advisors recommend “defensive” healthcare planning
  • Romanow says medicare system needs an extra $15 billion from Ottawa
  • New taxes could pay for additional healthcare funding, Senate committee suggests

    Both the Senate committee and the Romanow reported recommended Ottawa commit to billions of dollars in new healthcare funding. Kirby’s report suggested the price tag would be around $5 billion annually, while Romanow tagged the cost at around $15 billion over four years.

    Romanow said the new health spending could be funded entirely from surpluses, while Kirby’s report suggested the implementation of a new, dedicated health tax added to the GST, or an annual healthcare premium tied to income. Kirby defended his approach, suggesting that healthcare funding should not be reliant on a prediction of “permanent” federal surpluses.

    Kirby will speak further on the Romanow report and its recommendations on Wednesday in Halifax.

    Filed by Doug Watt, Advisor.ca, dwatt@advisor.ca

    (12/02/02)