Government should expand health care: report

A report on the future of Canada's health-care system to be released Monday calls for more government involvement and rejects private initiatives, CBC's The National reports.

• INDEPTH: Curing Health Care

• BACKGROUNDER: The Romanow Report - an overview

A paper done for the Royal Commission on Health Care, headed by Roy Romanow, recommends:

• stopping commercialization of the system, such as the private diagnostic and surgical operations in some provinces;

• expanding medicare to cover prescription drugs and homecare, to prevent U.S. business from moving in.

It also says the government should enforce the Canada Health Act, even if that leads to complaints under international trade agreements.

The report seems to match Romanow's thinking. In speeches to U.S. audiences this week, he made it clear that he does not like the idea that medical services can be bought and sold.

"This is not a commodity. We're not selling cars."

Paying for health care is a key question.

Opposition leader Stephen Harper is opposed to any tax increase, saying there is enough money today.

But Finance Minister John Manley on Friday wouldn't rule out a dedicated tax to pay for health care.

• RELATED: Ottawa won't increase GST: Manley

Romanow will give the government his report in November.

• FROM SEPT. 5, 2002: Health ministers await Romanow report

While the provinces have been pressing Ottawa for more money, federal Health Minister Anne McLellan has said the government will not act until it has seen the reports from Romanow and Senator Michael Kirby.

His report is expected next week.