Public spending for health and other social programs: A Canadian example

This descriptive study examines public fund allocations to provincial education, helath, welfare and environmental protection programs in British Columbia from 1961-91. This period includes the introduction of the full Canadian health insurance plan in 1968. Findings demonstrate that expenditures for each social program have changed significantly during the period studied. Important federal and provincial government actions in the allocation of resources to competing social programs are examined; and the relevance of this Canadian example to health care reform in the United States is discussed. Recommendations are made to improve public spending decisions based on the British Columbia experience.