PROFIT® and Quebec's private clinics

In response to the Supreme Court’s Chaoulli decision, Quebec Health Minister, Philippe Couillard tabled Bill 33, a proposal to use public money to fund for-profit health clinics. Public health care advocates are concerned that this plan will drain resources from the public health care system, despite a proposed ceiling on the number of doctors allowed to practice in the for-profit sector.

Still, some people aren’t waiting for permission from the Quebec government to open private clinics, and in doing so, are clearly operating illegally. This is the case with the Rockland MD Clinic which offers medically necessary services to patients who pay out-of-pocket. The clinic accepts payments from Quebec’s provincial insurance plan, in addition to charging extra fees.

Bill 33 also includes a provision allowing access to private insurance for higher quality medical treatments, which will likely result in the creation of a two-tier health care system in Quebec.

In May 2007, Finance Minister Monique Jérôme-Forget announced the creation of a task force headed by Claude Castonguay who has lobbied hard in recent years for user fees to finance the growing cost of health-care services. According to The Globe and Mail, the task force was mandated to define the role the private sector can play in health care delivery as well as "study changes that might have to be made to the Canada Health Act."

Released in Feb. 2008, the results of the report clearly favoured health care privatization, calling for an increased role for private insurance, the introduction of user fees that require all citizens to pay money when they see a doctor, and a provision to allow doctors to practice in both the public and private sectors. These are all clear breaches of the letter and spirit of the CHA.

Profit is not the cure for Quebec’s health care system. There are public solutions to the wait times problem. The Quebec government should be promoting public health care for everyone – not just those who can afford to pay their way to the front of the line.

Resources:

	Clinique Rockland MD : Plutôt une pente glissante qu’une zone grise Op-Ed | Guy Caron | February 2, 2007
	Garantir l’accès ? Une perspective canadienne (PDF) Brief to Quebec’s Commission on Social Affairs | March 24, 2006
	Quebec headed in the wrong direction on health care, says Council Press Release | February 16, 2006

	Loi 33: Loi modifiant la Loi sur les services de santé et les services sociaux et d’autres dispositions législatives (PDF) Government of Quebec | Adopted on December 13, 2006
	Guaranteeing Access Meeting the challenges of equity, efficiency and quality - Consultation document (PDF) Government of Quebec | February 2006
	A hybrid health-care system Toronto Star | Antonia Maioni | February 2, 2007
	Santé: bénins, les frais afférents? Le Devoir | Op-Ed | February 1, 2007
	Centre médical Rockland MD - Couillard réclame finalement une enquête Le Devoir | Robert Dutrisac  | January 30, 2007
	Quebec health minister wants clinics examined for double-dipping CBC News | January 29, 2007
	M. Couillard doit intervenir Le Devoir | Jean-Robert Sansfaçon | January 27, 2007
	On Accessories Accidental Deliberations | Blog | January 25, 2007
	Loophole allows clinic fees The Gazette | Aaron Derfel | January 25, 2007
	L'ouverture du centre médical Rockland MD continue de soulever la controverse Le Devoir | Kathleen Lévesque | January 23, 2007
	Complexe médical privé: une dérive, selon le PQ Le Devoir | Kathleen Lévesque | January 23, 2007
	La santé à deux vite$$es! Non Merci! Coalition Solidarité-Santé | Press Release | January 23, 2007
	Crunch Time for Public Health Care in Quebec (PDF) Toronto Star | Marie-Claude Prémont | November 17, 2006