CTV Montreal Published Monday, February 17, 2014 10:22PM EST Last Updated Tuesday, February 18, 2014 8:15AM EST<\/p>\n
There are tough choices to make, especially in health care, when it comes to the Parti Quebecois budget due out Thursday, economists say. <\/p>\n
The budget could be little more than a political platform, and may never be voted on by MNAs, due to the likelihood of an election to be triggered within days of the budget. <\/p>\n
But with an aging population and more expensive treatments, healthcare costs are soaring, and that will prove important in budget handouts. <\/p>\n
Reducing the range of services covered could be one solution, but it wouldn't be popular, said Universit Laval economics professor Bruce Shearer. <\/p>\n
Reducing services means people wait longer for surgery, people wait longer for tests results, he said, adding that the PQ needs to reconsider cheap public daycare and low tuition fees. <\/p>\n
Just don't bet on it anytime soon, he said. <\/p>\n
Over time they're going to have to answer those questions, they're going to have to make tough decisions, he said. <\/p>\n
The health care system is in urgent need of funding. According to the Quebec Health Care Facilities Association, the system needs an extra $1.2 billion in Thursday's budget for basic costs. <\/p>\n
For example, doctors salaries are increasing 9.2 per cent in two years. <\/p>\n
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See the article here:<\/p>\n
Health care costs approaching breaking point: economists<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CTV Montreal Published Monday, February 17, 2014 10:22PM EST Last Updated Tuesday, February 18, 2014 8:15AM EST There are tough choices to make, especially in health care, when it comes to the Parti Quebecois budget due out Thursday, economists say. Continue reading