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It wasn’t what they asked for, but the province has reached a 10-year health care funding agreement with the federal government.

Saskatchewan is getting $348.8 million over the next decade for programming targeted at home care and mental health.

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In a related deal, the federal government is giving the province a year to prove its not violating any laws with its two-for-one MRI program, which allows people to pay for a private MRI if the company providing the scan also does one for the public wait-list.

Health Minister Jim Reiter said that agreement is some temporary common ground between the two parties and gives the province a year-long reprieve “to make our case to the federal government.”

A little over half of the new funding announced Tuesday — $190.3 million — will be used to improve home care, while the rest — $158.5 million — will support mental health initiatives.

“While we’re disappointed it wasn’t everything we asked for, we think we’re in a situation right now where, frankly, because of money we need in areas that are a priority for the federal government as well, such as mental health and home care, we think it’s very important now to just get started,” said provincial Health Minister Jim Reiter.