It’s hoped that increased federal health care funding will start flowing in time to be reflected in the upcoming provincial budget.

Canada’s premiers and territorial leaders agreed yesterday to accept a new federal health care transfer that result in an extra $49 billion to the provinces over the next ten years.

Premier Andrew Furey who, along with Health Minister Tom Osborne, met with federal ministers Jean-Yves Duclos and Dominic LeBlanc in Deer Lake yesterday, says he’s hoping the increase in federal transfers will start flowing soon.

The federal health care deal laid out by Ottawa isn’t done simply on a per capita basis, and that could be to the province’s benefit says the Medical Association.

The deal will see health care transfers to the provinces increase to $196 billion over the next 10 years.

NLMA President Dr. Kris Luscombe says with the province’s vast geography, aging population, and high rates of chronic diseases, the calculation of the health transfers will benefit us more.

He says that will help with addressing priority areas in the health care system such as the doctor shortage and surgical backlogs.

Luscombe states that the money is a step in the right direction, but he believes everyone is disappointed by the amount as it is less than what the provinces were asking for. However, Luscombe does note that the yearly increases are a positive of the deal.