Ottawa Open To Revising Canada Health Act, Source Says

"But others have suggested other things, too, so we're going to look at that."

Spokesmen for Martin and for Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew immediately denied the claim and said the government doesn't plan to modify or add principles to the act.

"The prime minister and minister Pettigrew are very much attached to the five principles of the Canada Health Act and have no intention of reopening it," said Pettigrew spokesman Sebastien Theberge.

"What we are committed to is a process with the provinces to look at the system and make reforms that will go beyond further funding."

A spokesman for Martin said potential reforms don't include changing or adding principles to the health act.

"(Martin) will not allow it to be tampered with because we believe the five principles offer Canadians the assurance of universal, publicly funded health care," said spokesman Mario Lague.

"Of course we believe we can make the system better by addressing issues like wait times. This is precisely why he is looking for a meeting with premiers later this year to discuss the sustainability of the health system."

In Edmonton, Klein said his officials will be phoning Martin to find out what is going on.

"If it's true, it's welcome news and certainly it's something I've been talking about for some time now," Klein said. "We need flexibility within the Canada Health Act to try new and different things that will allow us to raise revenue and deal with certain situations in a more flexible manner."

[so we need "flexibility" in the Act to "reform" the system because we need "change" & it's too bad people want to "maintain the status quo". Who ever said we only like it publicly funded? It should be publicy OPERATED also! Watch out for more P3s under the Martin government! - NSay]