Vive Le Canada - Quebec Ban on Private Healthcare 'Unconstitutional'

The Supreme Court of Canada struck down Thursday a Quebec prohibition on private health-care insurance, in what members of Canada's medical profession called an "historic" decision with the potential to dramatically change the face of care in this country.

The lengthy and complex ruling was a year in the making and was closely watched by people on both sides of the health-care issue because of its implications for public and private care in Canada.

"This is indeed an historic ruling that could substantially change the very foundations of medicare as we know it," Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Albert Schumacher told reporters in Ottawa, adding that his group would need time to assess the full impact of the court's finding.

In a decision handed down Thursday, the country's highest court said the Quebec prohibition contravenes Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

"In sum, the prohibition on obtaining private health insurance is not constitutional where the public system fails to deliver reasonable services," the court found.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050609.w2scoc0609/BNStory/National/
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2005/06/09/ap2085191.html
http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=50261624-b4c2-4943-a5be-934878a25dfb

[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on June 11, 2005]

http://www.theglobeandm... http://www.forbes.com/h... http://www.canada.com/h...