Doctors Manitoba is working closely with medical associations across the country and the Canadian Medical Association to press provincial and federal health ministers on health system priorities. 

What’s happening: Provincial health ministers are all in Winnipeg to meet this week, and Doctors Manitoba and the CMA leaders are there to advocate on behalf of physicians. 

• Priorities include both sustaining federal funding and advancing important national legislation. 

What’s at stake: We are concerned about the uncertainty about federal health funding, and what it could mean for health care resources in Manitoba – especially as we are set to negotiate the next Physician Services Agreement. 

• While the federal government offered an extension, it is only for one year. Nearly $200 million in annual funding to Manitoba could be at risk, including about $50 million in the Health Transfer top up, plus directed funding at provincial-federal joint priorities.

• Premier Wab Kinew described the funding uncertainty as a ​“fiscal cliff” that is risking the sustainability of our public universal health care system. 

Push for Federal Legislation: We joined medical association counterparts from across Canada in calling on federal legislators to swiftly advance legislation that will improve the health and safety of Canadians, and improve practice for physicians.

➡️Bill S‑5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, would ensure doctors, nurses and patients can easily and securely access data across digital platforms, health facilities, and provincial boundaries.

Why it matters: The proposed law would require the vendors who create electronic medical records to ensure patient records can seamlessly move between digital systems. 

• For doctors, this means being able to share patient information, referrals, results and reports with other physicians electronically between different digital systems. 
• Right now in Manitoba, doctors and patients must navigate a patchwork of siloed digital systems, and the only way to move between them is to print and fax.

Of note: Manitoba is behind on digital access and interoperability, according to recent national research:

• Only 19% of physicians in Manitoba can share information electronically, which is among the worst levels of connectivity in Canada according to a recent national report.
• Only 17% of patients in Manitoba have accessed their information electronically, the lowest among all provinces. Next door in Saskatchewan, 72% of patients can access their health information according to Canada Health Infoway.

➡️ Bill C‑34, the Safe Social Media Act, is another piece of legislation we hope to see passed swiftly. 

Why it matters: This bill would restrict social media access among children and youth to address safety and health risks, a top concern for physicians and parents. 

Of note: This spring, we issued a report exploring Manitoba physicians’ perspectives on social media restrictions and related policy options.

• Social media and excessive screen time ranked as a top risk to child and youth health, ahead of concerns such as substance use, inactivity, and injuries.
• More than 9 in 10 physicians support restricting access to social media and AI chatbots for children and youth.
• Most physicians support age-based restrictions up to and including at least age 16.