In a consultation paper released February 16, the Quebec government chose to follow a very restrictive interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling in the Chaoulli case. The government document suggests providing guaranteed access for certain treatments and permitting private insurance only for knee, hip or cataract surgery. However, it would be well worth broadening the discussion to include a model the court decision hinted at, namely duplicate insurance covering all types of health care.

The financing of private health care in Quebec.

Health care reform in Canada.

Health care reform in Canada.

Access to health care services in Canada.

Léger Marketing poll commissioned by the Montreal Economic Institute.

Debate between Norma Kozhaya, Economist at the MEI, and Paul Saba, co-president of the Coalition des médecins pour la justice sociale.

The recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling in the Chaoulli affair determined that the Quebec government cannot forbid private health insurance from covering medically required services. If the possibility of obtaining private insurance is not thwarted by government moves, it will lead to the advent of a parallel private health care system. This will not mark the end of the public system but will allow for greater overall financing and will increase the ability of the health care system to look after patients more quickly and more effectively.

Publication of an Economic Note on the financing of private health care.

Publication of an Economic Note on the financing of private health care.