Below you'll find MLA Tim McLeod's Report from the Legislature for April 4, 2024.
The views expressed below are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Golden West.
The 2024-25 provincial budget delivers the largest-ever increase in health care funding. This investment will expand patient care and services, increase access to primary care, support health professionals, and fund key infrastructure projects like new hospitals and long-term care homes across Saskatchewan.
This year’s Ministry of Health budget is $7.59 billion, an increase of $726.4 million, or 10.6 per cent, over last year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will receive an increase of $248.3 million, or 5.6 per cent, for a total highest-ever budget of $4.68 billion – another record investment.
This budget will increase patient access to primary and community-based care, supporting Saskatchewan residents in receiving care closer to home and alleviating pressures on the acute care system through investments totaling $59.4 million.
The budget includes an increase of $5.1 million for specialized medical imaging services to add essential CT and MRI capacity in the province. This expansion will help increase access and reduce waitlists for these important diagnostic procedures.
A $16.0 million total increase will be distributed across several primary, public health and community care initiatives, including increasing access to nurse practitioners and other allied health professionals through integration into primary care teams, funding to support Healthline 811 and added supports for Chronic Pain Clinics in Regina and Saskatoon.
An investment of $71.4 million focuses on increasing the capacity of the acute care system. This includes $30 million for the Saskatoon and Regina Capacity Pressures Action Plans, as well as an increase of nearly $10 million for the Regina Urgent Care Centre. Funding is also directed to continuing to reduce the surgical waitlist, working to achieve a three-month wait time target years ahead of schedule.
The budget includes an increase of $29.2 million for the Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals in the province. This includes $11.6 million to fully fund the commitment to add 250 new or enhanced permanent full-time positions in rural and remote locations. A $6.7 million investment for the Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive will fund existing recipients of the program and extend this initiative for another year.
This year’s budget includes $214 million for the recent Saskatchewan Medical Association contract agreement, including increased physician compensation and new programs to support the province’s efforts to recruit and retain physicians.
A record budget of $574 million will be invested into mental health and addictions programs and services, which represents more than seven per cent of total health care funding. This includes an increase of $34 million to expand access to targeted initiatives focused on children and youth, addictions and vulnerable populations across the province.
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency will see an increase of $26.1 million for a total record budget of $248.9 million to ensure patients can access the most effective and cutting-edge treatment options.
The budget includes investments to deliver timely, exceptional cancer care services for Saskatchewan women. A $3.5 million increase for breast cancer care and screening includes technology enhancements and new diagnostic imaging equipment, as well as the establishment of a Breast Health Centre in Regina. A continued investment of $1.0 million will be designated for important ongoing ovarian cancer research.
Targeted seniors’ care initiatives will receive a $43.4 million increase to stabilize services and programming so seniors can live safely and comfortably in their home communities for as long as possible.
To provide high-quality care, meet the needs of a growing province and ensure our health professionals have the appropriate facilities to provide care to the people of Saskatchewan, the budget invests a record $516.8 million in health infrastructure, such as new hospitals and health care centres. This is an increase of $179.3 million from last year.
Our government is committed to continuing to make investments that improve health care. As we continue this work, please feel free to reach out to my office with your questions, concerns or comments. You can reach my constituency office at 306-692-8884 or mjnorthmla@sasktel.net.