Canadian PM Martin vows to uphold Health Act | Globe and Mail

[Ediacara]

Martin vows to uphold Health Act

By DREW FAGAN and JILL MAHONEY
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Prime Minister Paul Martin jumped to the defence of the Canada Health Act yesterday as Premier Ralph Klein reiterated that Alberta may act alone to make its public health system more affordable.

In a phone call, Mr. Martin registered his concern about Mr. Klein's earlier remarks that his government might consider a range of changes — from user fees to pulling out of the federal act — to contain spiralling health costs.

"It would appear now that the Canada Health Act is under challenge," Mr. Martin told reporters. "I am going to defend the Canada Health Act."

The two-decade-old law, which guarantees fair access to a publicly funded health-care system, is a fundamental part of the Canadian social fabric, Mr. Martin said.

More at the Globe and Mail

[CHIMO]

1. Haven't Seen

Anything in the Torstar yet.

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/02/20/martin_health040220

But King Klien didn't sound just right defending his expenses in the house.

Someone may have struck a nerve. Also a restaurant where a $700 expense bill was dug out from the freedom of information(sic) said today that two people would never be able to run up a meal to that high a value.

Whose on first?