Ottawa claws health transfers to 8 provinces charging private fees

OTTAWA –

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says he is $82 million in federal health transfers to provinces to charge patients for services that should have been covered by the public purse.

Eight states will see cuts in their next health care payments from the federal government in 2020 and 2021.

Most of the deductions are related to fees for diagnostic services such as MRIs and CT scans.

The federal Liberal government enacted a new policy on diagnostic services in 2020, ensuring that fees for such tests are covered under the single-payer policy of the Canada Health Act.

The Canada Health Act allows the federal government to reduce health care transfers when provinces charge user fees for medically necessary health care services.

Duclos has also written to each province and territory to warn them of increases in private fees for other services, including virtual patient visits.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 10, 2023.