July 24-26 the provincial Premiers will be meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake for the last Council of the Federation meeting before the 10-year federal-provincial health accord expires.
What comes next is largely a mystery. The federal government has committed to increased transfers but appears disinterested in what the provinces do with that money.
Federal transfers will continue at the 6 per cent threshold until 2017 but eventually align with economic growth. No matter what, the federal government has committed to a minimum growth in the Canada Health Transfer of 3 per cent.
Whereas the last accord was about reducing wait times for key diagnostics and procedures, there is no consensus about whether there will be any national objective over the next 10 years.
Health care groups are already organizing for the Niagara meeting, plans taking shape for a shadow summit and rally July 24-25.


