The study of the state of the health care system was two years in the making, and involved a considerable amount of public consultation. "Many Islanders had the opportunity to present at Senate hearings here in Charlottetown last November, and we are pleased to see that many of the recommendations we made are there in the final report today," said the minister.

Some of those recommendations made by Islanders were to improve access to home care, palliative care and other types of primary health care; improve health information systems; and increase emphasis on wellness and prevention. We are fully supportive of some of the priorities named in the report such as the need for more catastrophic drug insurance, home care, and palliative care," he said. "We recognize that more and more Islanders are now wishing to remain at home for care. With the increasing availability of costly life-saving drugs, we must take further steps to ensure that no one has to suffer undue financial hardship as a result of having to pay health care bills."

Minister Ballem indicated that the report takes a very comprehensive approach in examining many of the critical issues facing the health system today. One of the basic premises of the report is that the system is not fiscally sustainable the way it is currently organized and operated. "We agree that more money alone will not make the system more efficient and responsive, and that effective reforms are needed in the way the system is structured and operated," said Minister Ballem. "As health ministers, we now look forward to further discussions on the very clear plan of action outlined in the Kirby report, along with the pending recommendations of the Romanow report which is expected in November."