Since then, provinces have had more flexibility in how they use federal transfer payments; but even though the costs of medical care have increased, the federal government has reduced the amounts it transfers to the provinces. In 2000, faced with a financial crisis in the health insurance system, provincial and territorial leaders committed to supporting a common vision consistent with the five principles of the Canada Health Act. The political and legal means used to advocate for change Faced with the obstacles that helped prevent change, such as the financial crisis in Medicare in 2000, provincial and territorial leaders examined the Canadian law on health, adopted in 1984, which replaced the federal system of hospitalization and medical care. insurance acts. The Canada Health Act is a federal law that establishes the conditions under which the provinces and territories of Canada can receive funding for health services. The Canada Health Act has five main principles. These principles are mainly described as