Alberta will be reforming its health care system with or without money from the federal government, Premier Danielle Smith says. At a news conference on Jan. 10, Smith said that even if the federal government does not provide funding, health care is the “number one most important thing” that Albertans expect to be improved. Smith…

The country’s premiers say they have made no progress with the federal government to ensure a sustainable health care funding plan. They are seeking slightly more than a one-third contribution to health investment through federal transfer payments. The Council of the Federation, which includes all of Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers, said in a…

The New Zealand government has revealed its 2022 budget on May 19, with a focus on relieving cost-of-living and record health investment. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government had set out to give people as much certainty and security as possible in the budget. “That is what we have set out to do in…

EDMONTON—Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the provincial budget will include an unprecedented blitz of health-care spending powered by a roaring, re-energized economy. Kenney announced $1.8-billion in long-term spending Wednesday to increase beds, operating rooms and labs at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. He said it’s the vanguard of a monumental health-spending package coming Thursday in…

A spike in health-care spending during the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to some serious financial challenges for provinces as they work to rebuild their health systems in the aftermath, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The spending surge is expected to reach a record $308 billion in 2021, say newly released projections from…