Canadians want ‘health care bill of rights’: CMA survey

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Canadians want a “health care bill of rights” to ensure they have better access to health care, according to the Canadian Medical Association‘s most recent Health Care Report Card.

CMA President Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull says despite massive spending on health, Canadians’ satisfaction with the health care system has consistently dropped since the last federal-provincial deal was inked in 2004.

Almost 90 per cent of the 2,000 Canadians the CMA surveyed by phone say a patient charter should be part of the new health funding plan between Ottawa and the provinces and territories.

“It’s like a compact, and the government tells them, ‘This is the type of care that you’re going to get, this is what are reasonable times to access, this is the type of quality you should expect,” he explains. “And then if you’re not getting it, you have an opportunity to get those concerns addressed.”

He says most people asked want a patient health charter to clearly define their rights and responsibilities, along with an independent health ombudsman they can complain to.

“For example, if you can’t get your total knee joint replacement within a fixed period of time, we will ensure that you get by transferring you to another jurisdiction.”
    
The current federal-provincial deal runs out in 2014.

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