Sep 21 2010
New evidence of Canada Health Act violations, BC Court of Appeal ruling affirming government authority to audit for-profit clinics, and resolution at next week's UBCM Convention all signal need for immediate government response
New research conducted by the BC Health Coalition has revealed evidence that for-profit clinics across the province continue to openly charge patients additional fees to jump the queue for health services already covered by Medicare.
The report, entitled "Eroding Public Medicare: BC Update 2010", is an update of a groundbreaking 2008 national report that documented an explosion of private for-profit health facilities across the country that are jeopardizing the equality and fairness of our health care system.
"This latest report confirms that Health Minister Falcon must take a leadership role in protecting British Columbians from private investors who are charging unlawful user fees and billing patients for health services already covered by Medicare," said Health Coalition Co-chair Rachel Tutte.
"The need for action has also been made clear by recent court decisions," she said, referring to a BC Court of Appeal ruling that confirms the Medical Services Commission has the authority to audit for-profit clinics in BC, including Dr. Brian Day's Cambie Surgery Centre. Cambie is the largest for-profit clinic in BC and is leading a legal attack on B.C.'s Medicare laws that protect patients from being charged user fees for publicly insured, medically necessary health care.
The report also comes in advance of a resolution that is on the agenda at next week's Union of BC Municipalities Convention in Whistler, and calls for a provincial moratorium on the expansion and funding of private, for-profit surgical and diagnostic clinics.
Source:
BRITISH COLUMBIA HEALTH COALITION