Using the POPULIS framework for interprovincial comparisons of expenditures on health care

OBJECTIVES. Motivated by Manitoba Health's desire to know how health spending in Manitoba compared with other provinces, this study is a descriptive project designed to inform the health policy process by comparing indicators of need and expenditure across Canada. RESEARCH DESIGN. Population characteristics that are known to influence the need for health care constitute the comparative data categories. FINDINGS. In terms of all five health status indicators and five of eight socioeconomic indicators, Manitoba ranked medium (fourth to seventh of 10 provinces) or average. Demographic characteristics placed Manitoba second to Saskatchewan in proportion of both elderly residents and Registered Indians. This is notable, because both groups traditionally have high health needs. With provincial characteristics established, the second part of the study compares provincial per capita health expenditure data with expected need for health care services. RESULTS. Overall, the study finds provincial health expenditures are not related to health care need indicators. Saskatchewan is a case in point; despite having similar population characteristics to Manitoba, Saskatchewan has a population with good health status and lower health care expenditures. This offers a model that invites further exploration. CONCLUSIONS. At the provincial level the amount of health care spending is not positively related to the need for health care.