TargetS

results

• Implement 52 new Aboriginal wellness initiatives.

• Target exceeded. 56 new Aboriginal wellness initiatives implemented in 2004-05, addressing community-based primary health care, diabetes prevention, HIV awareness and prevention, tobacco reduction, and substance abuse awareness and prevention.

• Initiate FireSmart projects in 15 Aboriginal communities.

• Target met. During the 2003 and 2004 fire seasons, FireSmart projects, including fuel and hazard reduction and fire guard construction, were undertaken in 15 Aboriginal communities across Alberta. This was a two-year project to reduce forest fire hazards and improve Aboriginal participation in forest fire safety programs.

• Provide 60,000 participant hours in recreation, sport and arts through the Alberta Future Leaders program.

• Target exceeded. During 2004-05, the Alberta Future Leaders program provided 60,390 participant hours of recreation, sport and arts programming to youth in 12 Aboriginal communities.

• Increase number of mentors in Aboriginal Youth mentoring pilot project sites by 15%.
  

• Target exceeded. The number of mentors participating in four pilot project sites increased from 17 to 33, an increase of 94%.

Targets

results

• Increase percentage of Aboriginal Albertans aged 25-34 completing high school and post-secondary programs (establish baseline data).

• Target met. Results from the 2004 Aboriginal Labour Force Survey show the following educational attainment rates for Aboriginal Albertans aged 25-34 living off-reserve:
  • 73% have completed high school; and
  • 41% have completed post-secondary education.
    

• Provide 20 additional teacher training spaces for Aboriginal learners.

• Target exceeded. 24 additional teacher training spaces were provided for Aboriginal learners through the Blackfoot Teacher Education Program at Red Crow College.
• 12 Aboriginal students continued in the Bachelor of Education program at the University of Lethbridge in 2004-05.
  

• 75% of 500 Provincial employees that participated in cultural awareness training report a better understanding of Aboriginal issues.
  

• Target exceeded. 824 provincial employees from six ministries participated in Aboriginal awareness training in 2004-05.
• 603 participants completed evaluation questions related to their understanding of Aboriginal issues.
• 96% of participants completing the evaluation question reported a better understanding of Aboriginal issues as a result of awareness training.

• Establish 5 new Aboriginal Junior Forest Ranger crews.

• Target exceeded. During the 2003 and 2004 fire seasons, six new Aboriginal Junior Forest Ranger crews were established. This was a two-year initiative to encourage increased participation of Aboriginal youth in the provincial Junior Forest Ranger Program.
  

• Establish five new Aboriginal student crews as part of the current Junior Forest Ranger program by 2004.

• During the 2003 fire season (April - October), three Aboriginal student crews, each with 7-12 members, were established as part of a two-year initiative to encourage increased participation of Aboriginal youth in the provincial Junior Forest Ranger program.

Targets

results

• Percentage of participants in First Nations Training to Employment Program employed post-intervention. Measure under development.
  

• Target met. Baseline data developed for both completion of training and employment outcomes for the 2003-04 First Nations Training to Employment Program:
  • 81% of 170 participants successfully completed training.
  • 83% of 138 participants successfully completing training were employed in the field for which training was taken three months after completion.
    

• Implement ongoing Aboriginal-specific Labour Force Survey and develop baseline data.

• Target met. The Aboriginal Labour Force Survey continued in 2004-05. The survey is conducted monthly by Statistics Canada, with results posted on Alberta Human Resources and Employment's website.
• Data collected to date show consistently higher employment and economic participation rates for Métis people compared to North American Indians.
  

• Develop Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI) project with Provincial, Federal, Aboriginal and private sector partners.

• Target met. A joint federal-provincial AWPI conference in June 2004 was attended by more than 200 employers.
• The City of Grande Prairie signed an AWPI agreement with Alberta and Canada in March 2005.

• Complete SuperNet build to eligible First Nations (42) wanting service (eligible First Nations are those with provincial learning institutions or health facilities).
  

• Target in progress. 44 Alberta First Nations have requested SuperNet service at 125 sites
• In 2004-05, construction was completed to 97 sites on 36 First Nations.
• The SuperNet build is expected to be complete by September 30, 2005.

Targets

results

• Test draft Aboriginal Policy Checklist in selected Alberta ministries.

• Target met. The draft Aboriginal Policy Checklist was tested in five ministries during 2004-05.
• The draft checklist was revised as a result of testing and will be available for government-wide use in 2005-06.

• Develop, with Aboriginal communities and industry, cross-ministry guidelines for Aboriginal consultation regarding resource development and land management.

• Target in progress. A proposed Alberta consultation policy was developed with extensive input from First Nations and industry.
• Guidelines for consultation regarding resource development and land management are being developed, pursuant to the proposed policy.
  
  

• Support 5 traditional use studies in Aboriginal communities.
  

• Target exceeded. Alberta supported 27 traditional use studies involving 34 Aboriginal communities in 2004-05.

Targets

results

• Development of provincial prevention and protection strategies to better support children and youth who are exposed to family violence.

• Following an extensive consultation process involving approximately 3,500 Albertans, the provincial government released its report: Finding Solutions Together. The report outlines five key areas for action: social change; provincial leadership; collaborative, coordinated community response; services and supports; and accountability.
• Developed a government approved Family Violence and Bullying business plan.
• Under the leadership of the ACYI partnering ministries, began to develop and implement a cross-ministry Bullying Prevention Strategy.

• Phased implementation of a strategic plan for the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and youth, including implementation of an integrated child and youth sexual exploitation unit.

• Began to implement the Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth, focusing on four key areas: education/ awareness; prevention/protection; enforcement; and research/training, including initial planning for an Integrated Child Exploitation Unit.

• Parent Resource Centres established in areas of critical need across the province.

• Established 20 Parent Link Centres in 2004-05, including two Aboriginal-focused centres. Parent Link Centres provide parents and their children with the necessary supports to ensure that children come to school ready to learn and parents have the supports they need to help their children develop and fulfill their potential.

• Percentage of Alberta children demonstrating healthy social and emotional development (maintain or improve level in relation to national average).

• Alberta children rank above the national average in demonstrating healthy social and emotional development.
  • 85.9% of Alberta children demonstrate healthy social development compared to the national average of 84%
  • 85% of Alberta children display healthy emotional development compared to the national average of 82.2%.

Targets

results

• 80% of families surveyed indicate they were able to access information on available resources through a 1-800 Children's Disability Information Line (connected with Health Link) and resource guides.
  

• Launched the province-wide Child Disability Resource Link in August 2004 to give callers information about a wide range of provincial and community services and supports for children and youth with disabilities and their families.
• 92% of callers surveyed indicated the resource information provided was helpful.
• Developed a resource guide to provide parents of children with disabilities with information on available resources and responses to commonly asked questions.
  

• Development of a multi-disciplinary assessment service delivery model in 2 sites (Edmonton and Calgary) to assess needs and plan for appropriate services and supports for children and youth with special and complex needs.
  

• Established multi-disciplinary assessment teams and processes in Edmonton and Calgary with an initial focus on reviewing services for children with Autism. The teams expanded their focus on assessing needs and planning services for other children and youth with severe disabilities.

• Development of a cross-ministry strategic approach to address issues related to speech-language services such as availability, increased demand and alternative delivery methods.

• Developed a cross-ministry strategic approach to address issues related to speech-language services in Alberta, including goals and strategies to address seven key issues identified by stakeholders.

Targets

results

• Educational and training resources for youth distributed to 100% of partnering ministries, authorities and boards, and key stakeholders.
  

• Developed and distributed a Learning, Employment, and Career Resources Youth Services Directory. The Directory provides a comprehensive listing of Government of Alberta education and training programs for youth (15 - 24 years).
  

• Guidelines developed for people who work with children and adolescents that address key components for effective transitional planning, including educational, social, health, recreation, and other required supports.
  

• Developed Guidelines for Supporting Successful Transitions for Children and Youth, to help parents, social workers, teachers, and health workers as they assist children and youth to make transitions in their lives.
  

• 3 pilot communities established to identify and respond to the needs and priorities of communities in addressing the prevention of Aboriginal youth suicide.

• As part of the ongoing implementation of the Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, established three pilot sites involving eight communities: Lethbridge and the surrounding First Nations; High Prairie and the surrounding Métis Settlements; and Eden Valley First Nation. The pilot communities have developed action plans tailored to local needs and resources.
  

Targets

results

• Guidelines developed for 100% of regions that include identification of regional processes, reporting requirements and structures required to assist with local coordination of cross-sector initiatives.

• In consultation with regions, developed guidelines for all regions, to facilitate planning and delivery of child and youth initiatives at the local level.
  

• Regions report involvement in 100% of the planning of cross-ministry initiatives under the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative.

• Regions reported 100% involvement in the planning of cross-ministry initiatives under the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative.
  

Targets

results

• Create 45,000 net new jobs in 2004.

• Significant progress was made. Despite the lowest unemployment rate in the country, the economy created 40,000 jobs in 2004. Alberta remained far ahead of the Canadian average for job creation. Alberta created 12.5 new jobs per thousand population compared to the Canadian average of 8.9 new jobs.

• 10.8% investment in machinery and equipment as a percent of GDP.

• In 2003, investment and machinery accounted for 12.7% of GDP. Although final data for 2004 is not yet available, recent estimates indicate that investment in machinery and equipment remained strong in 2004.
  

• 2.1% increase in manufacturing GDP per hour worked.

• Confirming data is not yet available. However, based on the strong growth in manufacturing shipments and in exports of manufactured goods over the past year, the target is expected to be achieved. Various initiatives were implemented to enhance productivity among manufacturers.
  

• $1.9 billion increase in manufacturing and service exports to $22.7 billion.

• The target was exceeded as manufacturing and service exports increased by 18% in 2004 to $25 billion. Manufacturing exports grew by 22% and service exports by an estimated 7.8%. Food, feed and beverages, wood products, chemicals and primary metal products experienced very strong growth in 2004, as did tourism and transportation service exports.

• 20.7% share of GDP in manufacturing and business and commercial services.

• The overall share of GDP in manufacturing and business and commercial services is expected to have reached 21% in 2004. Recent estimates suggest that manufacturing GDP grew by 6.7% in 2004 compared to an estimated 4.4% growth for overall GDP. Commercial services, at 5.4%, also rose at a higher level than overall GDP.
  

• Increase investment in sponsored research from all sources at Alberta universities to $492 million.

• The target was exceeded. Alberta universities have been very successful in attracting resources. In 2003-04, they attracted $583 million in sponsored research funding. Data for 2004-05 will be available in late 2005.

• 84% of the North-South trade corridor (BC border west of Grande Prairie to Coutts) is open to four-lane traffic.

• In 2004-05, 83.5% of Alberta's North-South Trade Corridor was twinned and open to travel. Although targeted work is substantially completed, adverse weather in 2004 prohibited completion in time for opening to traffic. It is anticipated that this targeted section will be open to traffic by spring/summer of 2005.

• $300 million increase in tourism revenues to $5.3 billion in 2004.

• Alberta's tourism industry rebounded from a difficult year in 2003 and tourism revenues increased by $315 million in 2004. The new 4% Tourism Levy, with the funds used for tourism marketing and development, will translate into increased tourism revenues in future years.
  

Targets

results

• Develop baseline data on the satisfaction of rural Albertans with regards to health, education, economic development, community infrastructure and other elements of sustainability.
  

• This target was achieved. Considerable work has already been undertaken by ministries to compile survey results with information on the satisfaction of rural Albertans with their social and economic lives.

• Develop an arrangement with federal and provincial partners to deliver the Agriculture Enterprise Program under the Agricultural Policy Framework agreement.

• Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and Agri-Food Canada signed a five-year agreement on agriculture and agri-food. Alberta is the first province to sign such an agreement with the federal government.

• Eight significant regional economic development projects in rural Alberta benefit from cross-ministry support.

• Eight regional economic development projects were identified as benefiting from cross-ministry support. All are underway and at various stages of implementation. For example, under the Provincial Nominee Program, Alberta employers are able to attract and retain foreign workers in high needs occupations. 37% of Program nominees are located outside Edmonton and Calgary.

• Establish watershed planning and advisory councils for the Milk, Oldman, Bow, Red Deer, Battle, North Saskatchewan, Cold Lake - Beaver River, and Slave Lake watersheds.

• Considerable progress has been made and Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) are now in place for the North Saskatchewan, Bow River and Oldman River Basins. WPACs will be established in four more watersheds by 2006-07 and in Milk River and Athabasca by 2009-10.
  

• Alberta SuperNet will be available to 422 communities and 4,656 schools, hospitals, libraries and provincial buildings.

• As of March 31, 2005 Alberta SuperNet construction was complete in over 95% of Alberta SuperNet communities with the remaining construction scheduled or underway. It is anticipated that most government, health, library and education facilities will be connected by June 30, 2005, with the total network operational by September 30, 2005. Over 15% of Alberta SuperNet facilities are already using the network and more are going live each week.
  

• 33% of adult Albertans in rural areas, aged 17+, participate in education or training.

• The recent 2005 survey indicates that 30% of adult Albertans in rural areas participate in education or training. Given the strong economy, some Albertans have chosen highly paid employment opportunities over continuing their education or training. Over 2004-05, Advanced Education embarked on an aggressive campaign to raise awareness of the importance of post-secondary learning. This should translate to higher participation rates in future years.
  

• An Alberta bio-strategy is developed to identify new bio-mass energy project opportunities and a minimum of 3 projects successfully operating in Alberta by the end of 2004.

• An Alberta Bio-energy Strategy has been developed. The government decision to deregulate electrical energy created a policy environment that was the catalyst for numerous bio-energy projects now operating successfully.
  

Targets

results

• Increase support to the Aboriginal off-reserve labour statistics study.

• The Aboriginal Labour Force Survey is now in place. It supplies monthly labour statistics for Aboriginal people living off-reserve in Alberta. Alberta is the only province collecting this data. This is a collaborative target with the Aboriginal Policy Initiative.
  
  

• Percentage of participants who indicate their training helped prepare them for future employment (under development).

• The methodology for this measure has been developed and baseline data is being collected. The data will be available for public reporting in June 2005.

• 90%+ of Albertans aged 25-34 have completed high school.

• 90% of Albertans aged 25 to 34 have completed high school in 2004. The long-term trend shows a gradual and steady increase in the percentage of Albertans in this age group who have completed high school.
  

• 60% of Albertans aged 25-34 have a post-secondary education.

• Alberta has one of the most educated populations in Canada. In 2004, 57% of Albertans completed some form of post-secondary education. Participation rates have in part been affected by the strong economy with potential students choosing well paid employment opportunities over the pursuit of higher education. Post-secondary education has now been identified as a top priority for the Alberta government. This in turn should improve future participation rates.

• The labour force participation rate remains the highest among all provinces in Canada.

• Alberta has led this category for many years. Alberta's labour force participation rate at 73.6% remained by far the highest among provinces, well ahead of both second-place Manitoba (69.0%) and the Canadian average (67.6%).
  

• Total net migration to Alberta remains the highest among all provinces in Canada.

• In 2004, Alberta had a total of 11,600 net inter-provincial migrants, representing the highest net inter-provincial migration among all provinces. This is the eighth consecutive year that Alberta has maintained the highest net inter-provincial migration gain in Canada. However, inter-provincial migration to Alberta is increasingly being challenged by the strengthening economy in B.C.
  

• Employer agreement that the learning system provides an adequate supply of graduates: (available in 2004).

• 2003-04 data indicates that 72% of employers agreed that the learning system provided an adequate supply of graduates. New data from the bi-annual survey will be available in 2006.
  

Targets

results

• All Regional Health Authorities will implement strategies to increase health-promoting behaviour, such as increased physical activity, improved eating practices, tobacco reduction and injury prevention, and Young Family Wellness Initiatives that support healthy child development.
  
  

• Now that prevention strategies are developed, this year’s goal of ensuring on-going implementation is achieved. All Regional Health Authorities (RHAs):
  • identified promoting and supporting healthy living and improving health status through chronic disease management as important strategic directions in their respective 2004-07 Health Plans; and
  • committed to identify annual targets, based on the Framework for a Healthy Alberta and specific to their region, in their 2005-08 Health Plans.

• Increase the percentage of women who are aware that alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to life-long disabilities in a child, from 89% to 90%.

• Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause brain damage, birth defects, low birth weight, learning and behavioral problems. The Government of Alberta is committed to preventing new cases of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and has a coordinated approach to address it – through prevention and awareness in this initiative and through intervention strategies in the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative.
• As a result, a series of information resources and campaigns targeted to women, health professionals and youth have been implemented, with awareness levels of at least 90% being achieved.
  

• Reduce prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy among Alberta women from 3.9% to 2.5%.

• In the 2003 Framework for a Healthy Alberta, the government set a 10-year target to reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy from 4% to 0% by 2013. This year’s target, to reduce the prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy among Alberta women from 3.9% to 2.5%, is in progress. Final data from 2004-05 will not be available until 2005-06.
• Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission implemented a series of programs for at-risk/pregnant women, providing resources to health and social service professionals, and funding new residential and outreach programs for women who abuse substances, and for their families.

• 10 Alberta government departments, businesses or other organizations will participate in the Healthy U @ Work program.
  

• The target was exceeded, with 20 Alberta government departments, businesses and other organizations participating in the Healthy U @ Work program, adopting and promoting healthy practices at work.

• 55 (25%) Alberta villages, towns and cities will participate in the Healthy U Community Choosewell Challenge.

• The target was exceeded as 62 villages, towns and cities across Alberta are participating in the Community Choosewell Challenge, encouraging their residents to make simple healthy choices regarding healthy living and daily physical exercise.
  

• 53,000 copies of English Express, including messages on healthy eating, active living and affordable activity for children, will be distributed free to 1,500 Alberta subscribers including libraries, English as a Second Language programs and adult literacy programs.

• As a result of past cross-ministry work on the health challenges for low-income Albertans, it is recognized that more must be done to improve the health of recent immigrants and those with low literacy rates. As many in this group are taking language training, a special Healthy U insert was developed and released with the September edition of English Express, published by Alberta Advanced Education. The insert provided information on the importance of a healthy diet, activities available for children at no, or low cost, and access to supports and services. This target was achieved, as 53,000 copies of English Express, with this special insert, were distributed to the target audience.

• Reduce the percentage of Alberta youth who smoke, from 17.9% to 16%.

• This target was exceeded with the smoking rate among Alberta youth aged 12-19 years decreasing from 17.9% to 13.9%, according to data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey.
• Several actions are underway to continue to reduce the percentage of Alberta youth who smoke. A range of tobacco prevention programs, which contributed to this achievement, have been implemented in schools across the province aimed at kids in grades 4-6, 7-9 and youth aged 15-18. Grants were also awarded to organizations implementing projects targeted at 18-24 year olds and to reduce smoking during pregnancy.
  

• Three Alberta communities, including inner city/low-income communities, will be targeted to increase awareness about type 2 diabetes prevention, developing local resources through promotional activities.

• The target was achieved. To complement the implementation of the Alberta Diabetes Strategy, a comprehensive and community-based approach to significantly reduce the incidence of type-2 diabetes was introduced in three communities – Edmonton/Norwood, Bonnyville/St. Paul and Medicine Hat. Coordinators were hired, a social marketing campaign was implemented and approximately 3,000 at-risk individuals were registered into the program and supported to increase physical activity and improve nutrition.
  

• Increase the percentage of Alberta seniors (65+) immunized for influenza, from 67.6% to 69%, while striving for the target of 75%.

• This target is in progress and projected to be achieved as a result of efforts underway.
• Demand was up this year compared to last, with about 30% more vaccine, or 214,000 doses, being distributed to RHAs (as of December 13, 2004). Data on the actual number of seniors immunized in 2004-05 will not be available until June 2006. RHAs continued to immunize Albertans until April 1, 2005.
  

Targets

results

• Continue the shift so more Albertans over 75 years of age receive community-based continuing care services, reducing the ratio of those in institutions from 74.1 per thousand in 2002-03 to 72.0 per thousand in 2004-05.

• This target was exceeded – the number of Albertans in continuing care institutions decreased from 74.1 per thousand in 2002-03 to 70.5 per thousand (based on 2003-04 data). This trend is expected to continue in 2004-05 data.
• Building on progress made last year, work continued with Seniors and Community Supports and RHAs to implement the Healthy Aging in Place strategy, shifting more Albertans in continuing care from facility-based to community-based streams of care.

• Implement a province-wide, seven-day coordinated access system for necessary continuing care services in 2004-06.

• The 2004-05 actions for this two-year target have been achieved. After regionalization of health services, there were some initial challenges for some continuing care patients who wished to move between regions. Significant progress on the implementation of a coordinated access system to improve access to continuing care across the province has been made. Work will be completed in the second year of this target.

• Introduce systematic quality improvement to continuing care services in 2004-06.

• The 2004-05 actions to introduce systematic quality improvement to continuing care services have been achieved. Significant progress was made including quality Alzheimers and Dementia training for continuing care staff; an increase of care hours per patient, and the development of accommodation standards and monitoring systems. Work on this two-year target will be completed in 2005-06.

• Increase the supply of affordable supportive living in 2004-05.

• The target was achieved as 308 new units were added under the Seniors Lodge Program. In addition, the details of a new $50 million capital program were announced on October 21, 2004, providing the basis for the development of supportive living facilities for low- and moderate-income seniors with high health needs in rural communities across the province. This program is expected to add approximately 750 new supportive living units in 2005-07 (see targets for 2005-06).
• A paper highlighting the benefits of capital grant programs, supporting further development of affordable supportive living, has also been developed.

• Identify alternatives for mental health accommodation, to support and facilitate appropriate shifts from facility-based to community-based delivery models.

• This target has been achieved. As RHAs are now implementing the Provincial Mental Health Plan, other ways of facilitating the shift from facility-based to community-based mental health services, were considered.
• Individuals with mental illness need a flexible range of housing and support options that are safe, affordable, accessible and responsive to their needs and choices. Some individuals can live independently with limited support (e.g., weekly on-site services with after hours crisis/emergency capacity); others need access to 24/7 on-site supports. Development of local partnerships on housing and supports will be encouraged.
• A new Mental Health Innovation Fund to be implemented in 2005-06, will help RHAs implement plans by encouraging them to develop local initiatives to improve services for people with mental illnesses, with a top priority being placed on programs for youth.

Targets

results

• Develop a cross-ministry plan to identify new opportunities to address health sustainability, including consideration of more effective collaboration for wellness, alternative financing, strategic investment and capital planning.

• The target was achieved with significant cross-ministry effort on consideration of new opportunities to address health system sustainability and renewal.
• In support of health renewal, the government announced a $700 million investment on June 30, 2004 to improve access and quality of health services. In January 2005, the Premier announced further work was needed in the evolution of the health system to consider a "third way" for Alberta's health system.

• Develop baseline data about Albertans at risk of financial hardship from prescription drug expenses.

• Better data on Albertans at risk of hardship due to prescription drug expenses was achieved through this target with the development of the report Albertans' Insurance Coverage for Prescription Drug Expense (2004). It indicates that although all Albertans have access to drug insurance coverage (through a combination of private and public plans), 27% do not have any coverage.

• Identify strategies to address long-term sustainability of drug programs while providing protection for Albertans against catastrophic drug costs.

• This target was achieved, as strategies to address long-term sustainability of drug programs were identified through preparation of the following report Understanding Health Care Cost Drivers and Escalators (2004); analysis of cost-containment initiatives from an Alberta perspective; and the September 2004 First Ministers 10-Year Health Plan to Strengthen Health Care – which called for a Ministerial Task Force to implement several strategies related to pharmaceuticals, including consideration of comprehensive catastrophic drug coverage.

• Build an economic model to estimate the cost of drug plan features.

• The target to develop an economic model to estimate the cost of drug plan features has been achieved. The model allows detailed financial analysis of the impact of changes to key policy levers.

• To support innovation and affordability for chronic disease management programs, affected ministries will develop three agreements with industry to share risks associated with the implementation of costly new pharmaceuticals.

• The target was achieved. Three agreements with industry, that support innovation and affordability for chronic disease management programs, have been signed.

• Develop a collaborative cross-ministry communications strategy.

• In support of the exploration of policy options for health renewal, Health and Wellness and the Public Affairs Bureau achieved this target with the implementation of a collaborative communications strategy with the participation of all related ministries prior to the June 30, 2004 announcement on health renewal.