UPFRONT | Roundup FINANCE Take 5 Report predicts health spending to reach $242 billion in 2017 Health spending in Can-ada is expected to reach $6,604 per capita this year – or about $200 more per person compared to last year – according to a report re-leased in November by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The report forecasts total health spending for the year to increase almost four per cent to $242 billion and equal 11.5 per cent of Cana-da’s gross domestic product, similar to last year. The Institute said the growth rate is slightly higher than the annual average of 3.2 per cent that has been recorded since 2010. The report said total health spending per person is expected to vary across the country, from $7,378 in Newfoundland and Labra-dor and $7,329 in Alberta to $6,367 in Ontario and $6,321 in British Columbia. Hospitals, at 28.3 per cent, are expected to eat up the largest share of health dollars in 2017 – as they have since 1997 – followed by drugs at 16.4 per cent and physician services at 15.4 per cent. Drug spending is expected to grow the fastest, reaching an estimated 5.2 per cent this year. Physician spending growth is forecast to grow 4.4 per cent and spending on hospi-tals is estimated to grow by 2.9 per cent. When compared to other countries, the Institute’s re-port said Canada’s health spending per person in 2015 was $5,681, similar to health spending in France Australia and the United Kingdom. Per capita spending re-mained highest in the United States at C$11,916. – The Canadian Press NUMBER CRUNCHING Facts on weed PUBLIC HEALTH Task force to end B.C.’s health plan premiums VICTORIA – British Columbia’s government has announced an expert task force to advise the province on how to eliminate med-ical premiums within four years. The task force will be chaired by a University of Victoria professor who is an expert in applied eco-nomic research and policy analysis. Paul Ramsey, a former NDP cabinet minister for health, envi-ronment and education, has also been appointed to the task force along with a law professor from the University of British Columbia. www.canadianchiropractor.ca 2018 is the year recreational marijuana will be legalized in Canada. Here are some interesting stats on pot. The province’s Finance Minister Carole James said in a news re-lease that Medical Services Plan premiums are unfair and place a significant burden on families. The NDP already announced in its budget plans last fall that it aims to cut premiums by 50 per cent as of Jan. 1, 2018 which would annually save individuals up to $450 and families up to $900. The task force is expected to deliver a final report to the govern-ment by March 31. – The Canadian Press 7 % 1/3 use weed to help with PTSD symptoms Canadians consuming marijuana for medicinal purpose Illustration: Brian Fray $22.6 BILLION estimated value of the Canadian marijuana industry a year up to 80% seek marijuana to ease chronic pain December 2017 Canadian Chiropractor 9
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