PROFIT® takes public health care to court

In June 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down Quebec’s prohibition on the sale of private health insurance for medical services covered under the province’s health insurance plan. Known as the Chaoulli decision, the court narrowly confirmed that private health insurance should be allowed if solutions could not be found in the public system to reduce wait times.

The plaintiffs in the case – George Zeliotis, a Montreal patient, and Jacques Chaoulli, a doctor seeking to set up a private clinic – had asked Canada’s top court to strike down sections of the Quebec Hospital Insurance Act that prevent people from buying health insurance for procedures covered by medicare.

Since then, promoters of for-profit heath care have used the Chaoulli decision as a rallying cry for increased health care privatization.

Now others are trying to follow suit. Two court cases have been launched – one in Alberta and one in Ontario – where arguments are being made that patients did not receive timely access to care. Their cases are being backed by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a right wing organization bent on the dismantling of public health care.

PROFIT® is not the cure – privatization’s backers are attempting to win in the courts what they have never won through public opinion.

Resources:

Law and Disorder: Conservative activists want courts to strike down public health care
Canadian Perspectives | Guy Caron | Summer 2007

Ten things you should know about the Supreme Court decision on health care
Canadian Perspectives | Dr. Robert Chernomas | Autumn 2005

Our health system must help everyone
The Ottawa Citizen | Guy Caron | May 18, 2007

The Chaoulli Decision (PDF)
Canadian Doctors for Medicare | 2006