Charter challenge could transform the Canadian healthcare system

Four things you should know about the pending Charter challenge against medicare By Colleen Flood Expert Advisor and Kathleen O'Grady Managing Editor EvidenceNetwork.ca

OTTAWA, ON/ Troy Media/ - A long-running dispute between Dr. Brian Day, the co-owner of Cambie Surgeries Corporation, and the British Columbia government may finally be resolved in the BC Supreme Court this year - and the ruling could transform the Canadian health system from coast to coast. The case emerged in response to an audit of Cambie Surgeries, a private for-profit corporation by the BC Medical Services Commission. The audit found from a sample of Cambie's billing that it (and another private clinic) had charged patients hundreds of thousands of dollars more for health services covered by medicare than is permitted by law. Day and Cambie Surgeries claim that the law preventing a doctor charging patients more is unconstitutional. Day's challenge builds on the legacy of a 2005 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada overturning a Quebec ban on private health insurance for medically necessary care. But this case goes much further, not only challenging the ban on private health insurance to cover medically necessary care, but also the limits on extra-billing and the prohibition against doctors working for both the public and private health systems at the same time. A trial date was set to begin in 2012, but was adjourned until March 2015 so that the parties could resolve their dispute out of court and reach a settlement. It now appears such a resolution has not been reached and the court proceedings may resume in November. Here's why this case matters. Legal precedent: Whatever way the case is decided at trial, it is likely to be appealed and eventually reviewed by the Supreme Court. A decision from this level will mean all provincial and territorial governments will have to revisit equivalent laws. The foundational pillars of Canadian medicare - equitable access and preventing two-tier care - could well be vanquished in the process. Wait times: Day will likely argue that Canada performs poorly on wait times compared to other countries, and that other countries allow two-tier care; thus, if Canada is allowed two-tier care, our wait times would improve. But this approach is too simplistic. Common comparisons to the English health system, for example, fail to recall that, despite having two-tiers, it has in the past suffered horrendously long-wait times. Recent efforts to tackle wait times have come from within the public system, with initiatives like wait time guarantees and tying payment for public officials to wait times targets. By looking to England, we are comparing apples to oranges. English doctors are generally full-time salaried employees while most Canadian physicians bill medicare on a fee-for-service basis. Consequently, the repercussions of permitting extra billing in Canada could eviscerate our publicly-funded system, whereas this is not the case in England. Imagine if most doctors in Canada could bill, as those at the Cambie clinic have done, whatever they want in addition to what they are paid by governments? Conflict-of-interest incentives: Evidence suggests there is a danger in providing a perverse incentive for physicians who are permitted to work in both public and private health systems at the same time. Wait times may grow for patients left in the public system as specialists drive traffic to their more lucrative private practice. Sound improbable? Academic studies have noted this trend in specific clinics that permit simultaneous private-public practice. And recent UK news reports have profiled a case where a surgeon bumped a public patient in need of a transplant for his private-pay patient. Competition: Proponents of privatized health services often claim that it would add a healthy dose of competition, jolting the "monopoly" of public healthcare from its apathy. But free markets don't work well in healthcare. Why? Because public providers and private providers won't truly compete if the laws Day challenges are struck down. Instead, those with means and/or private insurance will buy their way to the front of queues. Public coverage for the poor will likely suffer, as is clearly evident in the U.S., with many doctors refusing to provide care to medicaid (low-income) patients in preference for those covered by higher-paying private insurance. Of course, this is all based on an outcome that is not yet known. It may be that the Charter challenge in B.C. will be unsuccessful, but clearly the stakes for ordinary Canadians are very high. Sadly Dr. Day is not bringing a challenge for all Canadians. Isn't it long past time our governments and our doctors work to ensure all Canadians - and not just those who can afford to pay - receive timely care? Colleen Flood is Professor and University Research Chair in Health Law & Policy at the University of Ottawa and an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca. Kathleen O'Grady is a Research Associate at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, Concordia University and Managing Editor of EvidenceNetwork.ca.

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Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival

Secret Sweater Creator Unveils New Functional Fashion Garment

Keep warm and fashionable with Secret Sweater’s all new Shawl and Travel Blanket 2-in-1

Everyone loves a good secret, and we’ve got one that just can’t be contained any longer. Katherine Arnemann, creator of the popular Secret Sweater Cardigan, has unleashed a new fashion garment designed to keep women warm while adding a touch of class to any outfit.

The Shawl and Travel Blanket was born out of Arnemann’s desire to give women a fashionable way to stay toasty on the go without the frumpy air of an old sweater or the untidy look of a sweatshirt.  A multi-use garment that provides warmth without the bulk, the Shawl can be draped over a cocktail dress, adding just the perfect touch of sophistication. Wrap it around yourself on a chilly flight or train ride, and you’ve instantly got yourself a travel blanket that will have you toasty for the duration of your travel time.  When not in use, the 2-in-1 folds up into its own little pouch for easy transport – a must-have for women on the go!

 The Shawl and Travel Blanket is made of a soft cotton blend that offers a comfy feel while epitomizing both fashion and function. The one-size-fits-all, American-made Shawl and Travel Blanket is currently available in black and whisper grey colors.

Secret Sweater products are available at a variety of US retailers including the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay, San Francisco International Airport, Hammacher Schlemmer catalog (coming March 2015), and Going in Style Travel Shop at Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping Center.  Both products are also conveniently available through online retailers Amazon.com, joyus.com, and TheGrommet.com.

Elevate Magazine's Earth Day Special

Midland's Buttertart Festival

Bakers of Ontario! Do you want to be a part of the sweetest day of the year? Get your contest application in tout suite! Download professional and home made division contest applications here:
http://buttertartfestival.ca

How to make Kale Chips

everydayliving™: Searching for Meredith Love

everydayliving™: Searching for Meredith Love: Searching for Meredith Love Julie Christensen is the author of Searching for Meredith Love and The Truth About Dating.

Wasaga Beach Park

The Friends of Nancy Island Historic Site and Wasaga Beach Park is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to furthering the educational and interpretive programs of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and Nancy Island Historic Site.

http://www.wasagabeachpark.com/

Cheesy Baked Supper Omelet

Get this egg dish for six in the oven far faster than making individual omelets one at a time on the stove.

http://www.lifemadedelicious.ca/recipes/cheesy-baked-supper-omelet/eb0640e8-7de1-4b9e-8784-964714685e79/

Wasaga Sun on Clara Callan

Clara Callan author up next for Wasaga Beach Appetizing Author series

Wasaga Sun

Wasaga Beach Public Library is hosting Richard B. Wright for the next Appetizing Authors Series event.

Wright has won the Giller Prize, the Trillium Book Award and the Governor General’s Award. His first novel, The Weekend Man, was a critical success and his tenth novel, Clara Callan won him the three Canadian awards. Wright has written 13 novels.

“It’s a thrill to have a writer of his calibre visit the library,” said Pamela Pal, Wasaga Beach Public Library’s Appetizing Author event coordinator. “Richard B. Wright has achieved what so many writers can only dream about.”

This is the second year for the series, which aims to bring Canadian writers to Wasaga Beach Library, combines book talks and treats. Attendees can enjoy locally-made appetizers while listening to the author’s insights into life, publishing and writing.

Tickets go on sale April 1 for $10 per person. The event is limited to 40 attendees. Visit the Wasaga Beach Public Library or call (705) 429-5481 ext. 2406 for tickets.