As i recall the deal offered by the feds is for ten years. If you were looking for a payout on an investment , you might think long and hard on a return of 3%, as so much can change. The provinces are supposedly investing in the healthcare of the provinces for the future. In ten years it's hard to see costs staying at the magical 3%, and since provinces are already running large deficits something will have to give, The give will be you and I and increased taxes, and none of it will be on the heads of the feds, because healthcare is a provincial responsibility.