MEDIA RELEASE
March 25, 2010
 

Canada Health Act Annual Report: Parliament kept in the dark
No accountability or transparency on health funding

OTTAWA – The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) reacted today to the tabling of the Annual Report on the Canada Health Act 2008-2009 last Friday afternoon.

“Millions of dollars are being siphoned-off into private for-profit facilities and yet Parliament is kept in the dark and told the amounts are “not available”. Why is the Harper government encouraging more expensive and less accountable health care?” asked Kathleen Connors, Chairperson of the CHC.

The report acknowledged some provinces are violating the Canada Health Act by allowing illegal extra-billing and queue-jumping for insured services:

“There are concerns about queue jumping and charges to insured persons at private surgical clinics in British Columbia, for services that are covered under its provincial health insurance plan. Patient charges and queue jumping at private diagnostic clinics also remains an issue in some provinces where private clinics are charging patients for medically necessary services and allowing them to jump the queue for insured health services.” (Page 10)

Has the Prime Minister instructed Minister Aglukkaq to look the other way as Canadians are charged illegal user-fees? It’s time the federal government performed its statutory duty and enforced the Canada Health Act”, said Connors.

Download the 2008-2009 Canada Health Act Annual Report

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For more information contact:
Michael McBane, Canadian Health Coalition: (613) 277-6295

Media Release [112 kb]

 
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