Introduce more private medicine, says doctor who challenged Quebec ban
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | 3:55 PM ET
CBC News
HEALTH CARE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT
The question: Is it unconstitutional to outlaw private health care for patients who can pay?
The argument: Canadians should have the right to buy private insurance and pay for private care rather than waiting in the public system.
The ruling: The Quebec government cannot prevent people from paying for private insurance for procedures covered under medicare. The ruling has no immediate impact outside Quebec.
The patient: George Zeliotis, 73, from Montreal. He waited almost a year for hip surgery in the mid-'90s.
The doctor: Dr. Jacques Chaoulli tried and failed to set up a private hospital in Quebec. The Supreme Court decided to hear his and Zeliotis's cases together.
Earlier rulings: In Quebec, lower courts have ruled that the collective right to a publicly funded system is more important than individual rights.
The warnings: Ottawa advised against meddling with "one of Canada's finest achievements." Quebec warned of a brain drain to private health care.
» The Supreme Court decision
The argument: Canadians should have the right to buy private insurance and pay for private care rather than waiting in the public system.
The ruling: The Quebec government cannot prevent people from paying for private insurance for procedures covered under medicare. The ruling has no immediate impact outside Quebec.
The patient: George Zeliotis, 73, from Montreal. He waited almost a year for hip surgery in the mid-'90s.
The doctor: Dr. Jacques Chaoulli tried and failed to set up a private hospital in Quebec. The Supreme Court decided to hear his and Zeliotis's cases together.
Earlier rulings: In Quebec, lower courts have ruled that the collective right to a publicly funded system is more important than individual rights.
The warnings: Ottawa advised against meddling with "one of Canada's finest achievements." Quebec warned of a brain drain to private health care.
» The Supreme Court decision
The doctor who took the Quebec government to the Supreme Court of Canada, causing it to change its policy on wait times and private health insurance, wants to see more privatization.
In his Supreme Court case, Dr. Jacques Chaoulli argued "patients will continue to suffer and die" because of waiting lists.
- INDEPTH: Public vs. private health care
Last year, the high court ruled in response that some wait times for medical procedures in the province were unconstitutional.
Dr. Jacques Chaoulli. (file photo)
- FROM FEB. 16, 2006: Private health care has role in Quebec, says Charest
On Tuesday, Chaoulli called the move a good first step, while urging the Quebec government to go further with privatization.
"I would like that Quebecers have the best value for the public money they spend," Chaoulli said.
He said the best way would be to allow more private medicine, including:
- Allowing doctors to work in both the public and private systems, such as at a public hospital and a private clinic, rather than one or the other.
- Privatizing medical schools and hospitals.
- Loosening legal restrictions that limit private insurance.
The ideas were outlined in a 40-page document Chaoulli submitted to a provincial government commission looking into health reforms.
Share Tools
Big Box Advertisement
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Forest fires still burning near Timmins, Ont.
- A new forest fire is burning north of Highway 101 near Timmins, Ont., creating a new challenge for firefighters who have been working to contain another fire in the area. more »
- RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
- The RCMP is closing forensic laboratories in Halifax, Winnipeg and Regina and consolidating them with three others in a move the force says will lead to faster, more efficient service. more »
The National
The Current
- What does it take to get fired at the RCMP? May. 25, 2012 5:02 PM After a senior Mountie was demoted for disgraceful conduct including sex with subordinates, exposing himself and drinking on the job, some former employees wonder what you have to do to get fired.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
Big Box Advertisement
