Federal Support for Diagnostic and Medical Equipment

• As part of the September 2000, February 2003, and September 2004 federal-provincial-territorial agreements on health care, the Government of Canada provided $3 billion to provinces and territories in support of investments in diagnostic and medical equipment to improve access to publicly funded diagnostic services including:

• $1 billion over two years through the 2000 Medical Equipment Fund (MEF);
• $1.5 billion over three years through the 2003 Diagnostic and Medical Equipment Fund (D/MEF); and
• $500 million through the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care.

• These federal investments recognize that enhancing the availability of publicly funded diagnostic care and treatment services is critical to ensuring the quality of our health care system.

• Funding for medical equipment is provided on an equal per capita basis. The MEF and D/MEF were paid into third-party trusts to provide provinces and territories the flexibility to draw down funds as they required over the lifespan of each fund.

2000 Medical Equipment Fund (MEF)

• The MEF provided $1 billion over two years (2000-01 and 2001-02) to provinces and territories for the acquisition of medical diagnostic and treatment equipment (such as MRI machines, CAT scanners, and radiation therapy machines).

• Funds were accounted for by the Government of Canada in 2000-01. Provinces and territories had the flexibility to draw down funds up to the end of 2001-02.

• Under the 2000 Agreement, First Ministers agreed to report regularly to Canadians on the performance of publicly funded health services and on the progress achieved toward reform, based on comparable indicators.

2003 Diagnostic and Medical Equipment Fund (D/MEF)

• The D/MEF provided $1.5 billion over three years (2003-04 to 2005-06) to provinces and territories in support of specialized staff training and acquisition of equipment, recognizing that improved access to publicly funded diagnostic services is a priority for Canadians.

• Funds were accounted for by the Government of Canada in 2002-03. Provinces and territories had the flexibility to draw down funds up to the end of 2005-06.

• The fund was intended to provide flexibility to provinces and territories in addressing their differing needs. Provinces and territories were able to invest in identified categories (acquisition of new equipment with established safety, efficacy and effectiveness; replacement/updating of existing equipment; and direct installation costs of equipment) according to their respective priorities.

• As agreed to by First Ministers under the 2003 Agreement, governments will report to their residents annually on enhancements to diagnostic and medical equipment and services using comparable indicators. This will provide Canadians with information on progress achieved and key outcomes. It will also inform Canadians on current programs and expenditures, providing a baseline against which new investments can be tracked, as well as on service levels and outcomes.

2004 Medical Equipment

• As a part of the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care, the Government of Canada provided provinces and territories with an additional $500 million for medical equipment in 2004-05.

• Under the 10-Year Plan, First Ministers agreed to establish comparable indicators of access to diagnostic and treatment procedures with a report to their citizens to be developed by all jurisdictions by December 31, 2005.

 

2004 Medical Equipment Equal per Capita Provincial/Territorial Allocation ($ millions)
	2004-05	Total
Newfoundland and Labrador	8.1	8.1
Prince Edward Island	2.2	2.2
Nova Scotia	14.7	14.7
New Brunswick	11.8	11.8
Quebec	118.1	118.1
Ontario	193.9	193.9
Manitoba	18.3	18.3
Saskatchewan	15.6	15.6
Alberta	50.1	50.1
British Columbia	65.7	65.7
Nunavut	0.5	0.5
Northwest Territories	0.7	0.7
Yukon	0.5	0.5
TOTAL	500.0	500.0
Figures are based on Statistics Canada population estimates for 2004-05 as of September 2004. Totals may not add due to rounding.

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