No more growth in “very high” health spending. The COVID-19 pandemic is behind Quebecers. “We had spending growth rates that were higher than 5%. [durant la pandémie]. In the future, we will have spending growth rates of around 3% for all portfolios, and this is what will allow us to return to budgetary balance,” said the Minister of Finance. , Eric Girard, at a press conference.
Quebec forecasts an increase in health spending of 4.2% in 2024-2025. A percentage which contrasts with that of 7.7% planned for the 2023-2024 budget.
“There were cost overruns in 2023-2024,” indicates Eric Girard. However, if expenditures for the year 2023-2024 increase, he explains, “the growth rate for 2024-2025 decreases”. According to the minister, these cost overruns are notably linked to the use of independent labor, as well as the spread of respiratory viruses, which has put pressure on the hospital system.
With an envelope of $61.9 billion, health represents 41.9% of ministerial portfolio expenditures for 2024-2025. It remains one of the government’s priorities.
Quebec is investing a sum of nearly $3.7 billion over five years “to support a humane and efficient organization of health care and social services.” Of this amount, 902.5 million is dedicated to accelerating the digital shift (the digital health record); 457 million for “maintaining and developing alternative measures to hospitalization” (such as home convalescent care); 306.5 million for the addition of beds “to meet the growing needs of the population”, as well as 113.5 million for the continued deployment of the first line access window (GAP), which will lead to the implementation implementation of the Your Health appointment platform.
The government intends to “meet the growing needs” for youth protection by increasing accommodation capacity. He also wants to provide more support to people in crisis situations. An amount of 738 million is reserved to achieve this.
More than 1.1 billion dollars over five years are also planned to “continue the major shift” in home support services, the agreement of CHSLDs and the deployment of seniors’ and alternative homes.
Mystery about Health Quebec
The amounts allocated to the Santé Québec agency, which will have the mission of coordinating the field activities of the public network, do not appear in the 2024-2025 budget. Quebec indicates that they will be there during the next budgetary year, once the transition with the Ministry of Health and Social Services is completed.
According to the Ministry of Executive Council, 63 people submitted their candidacy for the position of president and CEO of Santé Québec. He is expected to be appointed by the end of April. He will earn $567,000 per year, and $652,050 in the first two years.
Hospital construction and renovation
The Quebec Infrastructure Plan also provides 2.9 billion for the health and social services sector. “Major hospital construction, reconstruction, expansion and redevelopment projects” are included, including the emergency and intensive care of Amos hospital, as well as the emergency and operating theater of the Sept-Îles hospital.