Introduction: In polls, townhall meetings, forums and demonstrations the people of Ontario have made it clear over and over again: we want one-tier, stable, public Medicare. The Ontario Health Coalition has repeatedly called upon the federal government to institute measures that will protect and extend our cherished public health system. The following guide compares federal political party platforms to the demands we have made. Use this guide during the campaign to see how the political party programmes measure up.

Will commit to the Liberal's level of funding with some provision for increases if the economy grows. However, in an apparently contradictory promise, the Alliance proposes to withdraw from the federal role in transferring cash funding for health care.

Will partially restore funding, committing to a reinvestment of $21 billion over 5 years. (Cumulative cut between 1993/94 and 2000/01 was just under $25 billion.) The Liberal Party commitment would put the federal portion of healthcare spending at 16% and there is no provision for funding to keep up with inflation and population growth.

Will immediately increase federal cash transfers for healthcare to 25% of shared public health spending. Will give subsequent increases based growth in population and the economy, taking into account demographic factors.

Will restore the cash portion of the Canada Health and Social Transfer to 1993/94 levels. This would set the federal portion at a maximum of 16% which would decline in each subsequent year.

Stop health care privatization by enforcing the Canada Health Act. Stop provincial governments from contracting with for-profit hospitals. Prohibit private, commercialized clinics.

The platform does not contain a commitment to a federal role in enforcement. Instead it says that decisions affecting healthcare - including respect for the principles of the Canada Health Act - would be made in collaberation with the provinces & territories.

Will maintain the current role of the federal government in enforcing the conditions of the Canada Health Act.

Will amend the Canada Health Act to clarify that federal health dollars will be withheld from provinces that allow private for-profit clinics to provide insured health services covered by provincial or territorial health insurance plans.

The platform does not contain a commitment to a federal role in enforcement. Instead it says that decisions affecting healthcare would be made in collaboration with provinces & territories.

Expand Medicare to include a national system of home and community care so that healthcare services will be covered for people upon release from hospital, and for the elderly, chronically ill, terminally ill and disabled.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

Will create a national homecare plan under the Canada Health Act that will extend universal health coverage to pay for homecare, community care and palliative care.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

Protect our public health system by excluding health and social services from trade deals.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

Will negotiate a complete "carve out" of culture, healthcare, education and other public services from international trade agreements, including the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) at the World Trade Organization.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

Design and implement a national initiative to promote access to safe, affordable and appropriate prescription drugs.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

Will introduce a national pharmacare plan to cover drugs upon discharge from hospital and for those who face chronic disease and catastrophic drug costs not covered by existing public and private drug plans.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

Immediately implement an open and transparent process through which meaningful public participation and debate can take place. Include the public in decisions about Medicare -- no backroom deals.

There is no commitment to this in their platform beyond unclear references to a referendum process - presumably to take effect after the Alliance's proposed devolution of the federal role in funding and enforcement of Medicare.

Will create a citizens' council on healthcare quality to provide perspective and advice. The council would be appointed jointly by provincial and federal governments.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.

There is no commitment to this in their platform.