Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, tabled the 2019-2020 Canada Health Act Annual Report in Parliament. The report provides Canadians with an update on federal administration of the Act and a clear picture of how public health care insurance plans across the country operate.

"Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen a strain on healthcare services, highlighting how important our universal public healthcare system is. While the pandemic has changed our ways of life in unprecedented ways, Canadians should never have to face uncertainty about whether they can afford to access care. During these uncertain times, we will continue to uphold the values of equity, fairness and solidarity that underpin the Canada Health Act. This year’s Canada Health Act Annual Report reaffirms our government’s commitment to universal healthcare."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health

• The Canada Health Act (CHA) was passed in 1984 with the unanimous support of Parliament. The CHA establishes criteria and conditions related to insured health services and extended health care services that the provinces and territories must fulfill to receive the full federal cash contribution under the Canada Health Transfer (CHT). 

• The CHT is the largest major transfer to provinces and territories. It provides long-term predictable funding for health care, and supports the principles of the Canada Health Act, which are universality, comprehensiveness, portability, accessibility and public administration.

• If a province or territory permits extra-billing or user charges for medically necessary health services, a mandatory dollar-for-dollar deduction must be taken from the jurisdiction's CHT. The following deductions and reimbursements were made in March 2020:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador's CHT was reduced by $70,819 as a result of user charges for insured cataract surgery provided by an enrolled physician at a private clinic. After working with Health Canada to develop, and then successfully carry out, a plan to eliminate these user charges, Newfoundland and Labrador received a reimbursement for deductions taken in both 2019 and 2020, totalling $72,168.
  • New Brunswick's CHT payment was reduced by $140,216 in response to the province's lack of coverage under its health insurance plan for abortion services outside the hospital setting.
  • British Columbia's CHT was reduced by $16,753,833 for patient charges at private clinics. Health Canada authorized a partial reimbursement of $16,019,539 to British Columbia in recognition of efforts taken by the province to address and eliminate these charges.

Associated links

• Canada Health Act
• Canada Health Act Annual Report 2019-2020

Cole Davidson
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health
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