REGINA: The hefty pay raise for the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) is just one more reason the province should pave the way for private sector health care, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). SUN's latest contract offered a 35 percent wage hike over four years. Meanwhile, health spending went from 34.8 percent of provincial spending in 2006-07 to an expected 43.7 percent in 2008-09.

"The health budget has outpaced our economy for years, but SUN's new contract makes it even more alarming," said CTF Saskatchewan Director Lee Harding. "Not only are the other health sector unions demanding contracts similar to SUN, now cancer nurses want their existing contract renegotiated. When will this end

"Between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), 25,000 support workers are currently without a contract. This is a prime opportunity for the province to begin tendering out ancillary health care services. British Columbia saves more than $66 million in the health sector every year by outsourcing non-essential services such as food preparation, security and cleaning. Why shouldn't we "

In August through September last year, laundry facilities at the Saskatoon Health District broke down. Buying custom made new parts cost $400,000, and trucking the laundry to Prince Albert and Regina for washing had already cost $860,000 by October. Although the equipment was replaced and got running in December, it was a major factor in an operating deficit that approached $10 million last fiscal year.

The laundry building itself remains in terrible shape and is slated for replacement. Last month consultants estimated that the Health District needed to spend $1.2 billion over the next ten years just to replace and repair its facilities.

"The laundry situation at the Saskatoon Health District shows that narrow thinking about how to deliver health services has created unnecessary expense. Significant savings could occur not only by outsourcing such services, but by using the private sector to build and renew facilities. The use of public-private partnerships should be considered for the construction and maintenance of health facilities, and for all major capital projects. Throwing more money at the status quo will sink us long-term."