P.E.I. health minister optimistic after federal meetings with counterparts

Federal funding, palliative care and an aging population are among the issues that were discussed at national health meetings in Vancouver this week, where P.E.I.'s new Health Minister Robert Henderson rubbed elbows with his counterparts for the first time.

• Health ministers wrap up meeting with Jane Philpott in Vancouver
• Health minister talking 'priorities' but provinces expected to press on funding
• Health ministers take on prescription drug costs going into federal meeting

Provincial and territorial ministers met amongst themselves first, to discuss topics including newborn screening, physician-assisted dying, mental health issues and substance abuse.

"We've also some of the issues around funding of health care to the province and basically have a fairly unified front I guess in trying to achieve goals of 25 per cent funding," said Henderson, who's headed up the health portfolio in P.E.I. for just 14 days. 

The provincial ministers were eager for their first formal meeting Thursday with Canada's new Health Minister Jane Philpott, who is herself a physician.

"I am committed to helping bring real change to health care systems," Philpott said.  

The ministers talked with Philpott about pharmaceuticals, community care, prescription drug abuse and more.

"It's definitely refreshing," said Henderson of what he called the new minister's willingness to listen and empathy for the challenges the provinces are faced with.

He's optimistic, he said, there will be more collaboration between the federal government and the provinces under Justin Trudeau's government. 

Greatest challenge: funding 

"Our biggest challenge is sustainability as it pertains to funding," said Henderson, adding that although P.E.I. has its own generic drug program, he wants federal help with it. 

"Obviously, we have the Canada Health Transfers but there seems to be a willingness from the minister, the federal minister to talk about maybe some targeting around some agreements that are specific to say Prince Edward Island's needs or other jurisdictional needs," he said. 

Home care, palliative care and mental health are all paramount for the Island and all provinces, said Henderson, as are better health outcomes for indigenous Canadians. 

"P.E.I. shouldn't take a back seat to anybody," said Henderson proudly, adding he told the other ministers about upgrades to long-term care facilities, and pointed out that most Islanders — a larger percentage than in any other province — have a family doctor. 

He also made clear, he said, that P.E.I. has challenges paying for the ever-growing cost of health care, and tending to a rapidly aging population. 

"The other issue is the thing about efficiencies in the system. We're certainly looking at some of the best practices that other jurisdictions have done," said Henderson. 

Meetings wrapped up Thursday evening.