Canada's health ministers are looking for more federal funding to meet wait time guarantees for patients.
The ministers are meeting at the University of Moncton on Friday and Saturday, where they are trying to come to an agreement about providing timely service.
The 2004 accord with the federal government provided funding for studies and benchmarks but not to actually meet the wait time targets, said New Brunswick Health Minister Mike Murphy.
"The costs are escalating and we have to rein those costs in," Murphy told reporters. "We have to make sure those people who need care are cared for and that it is provided under the Canada Health Act."
The health-care system needs tens of millions of dollars, Murphy said.
Last month, a report by the Canadian Wait Time Alliance said a lack of high quality data means it's impossible to tell if medical wait times are improving.
"Ultimately, we've been talking about this for well over a year, a year-and-a-half now, and we haven't come to a consensus as provinces, let alone come to a consensus with the federal government," said Nova Scotia's Chris d'Entremont.
The provinces need to find common ground if they are to succeed with the federal government, d'Entremont said.
Nova Scotia would have to spend $50 million to get the required equipment and staff to get up to speed, he added.
The ministers are also discussing how to regulate privately run health-care services.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement joins the ministers on Saturday.
With files from the Canadian PressRelated
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