New legislation has been put in place to merge all 12 health regions into one provincial wide health authority.

The legislation has been introduced to combat the provincial deficit, and for patients to receive better health care throughout Saskatchewan.

The amalgamation of Saskatchewan's health regions was recommended by the Saskatchewan Advisory Panel on Health System Structure and the complete implementation of their recommendations will take time to be carried out.

Jim Reiter, MLA for the Rosetown-Elrose area and Minister of Health, spoke about the amalgamation. “One Provincial Health Authority that is focused on better coordination of health services across the province will help to ensure patients receive high-quality, timely health care, regardless of where they live in Saskatchewan.”

The new health authority is expected to come into being in the fall of this year upon proclamation.

“Having a strong connection to rural Saskatchewan, I know how important health care is to communities across this province,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “Our government is committed to ensuring that the local voice continues to be heard within the new health system structure."