Relevant Healthcare Acts and Reports

RADTH 328 - Healthcare Policy. University of Alberta

Hospital Insurance and Diagnostic Act

Provided federal dollars to provinces and territories willing to implement a comprehensive hospital insurance plan

Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance Acts

created the legislative foundation for a publicly funded, universal healthcare insurance plan in the province

• lead to doctor strike in Saskatchewan

Medical Care Act

Established federal funding to help provinces provide universal publicly administered medical insurance for physician services

• to receive federal dollars to cover in-hospital care and physician services, provincial and territorial health plans had to meet 4 criteria

  • public administration, universality, comprehensiveness, portability

extended federal funding to cover physcians services outside the hospital in addition to in-hosptial care

Established Progams Finacing (EPF) Act

replaced previous cost-sharing arrangements with block funding for healthcare and post-secondary education, giving provinces more flexibility in how they used federal funds

• new funding formula to allocate money to healthcare and post-secondary education

  • introduced block transfers of cash and tax points

Canada Health Act

the cornerstone of Canada’s health care system; it combines earlier acts and enforces the five principles to ensure equal access to medically nescessary services

• provides equal, prepaid, and accessible health care to lawful residents of provinces and territories of Canada

What are the 5 criteria of the CHA?

1. public administration

2. Universality

3. Comprehensiveness

4. accessibility

5. portability

what are the two conditions of the CHA?

1. information on healthcare expenditure etc must be reported back to the federal government

2. recognition of the federal government in providing money for healthcare

Health Professions Act

Governs regulated health professions in Alberta, setting standards for licensing, professional conduct, and scope of practice to protect public safety and ensure competent care. Ensures safe and competent care to the public

• provides a framework for the registration, continuing competence, and discipline of regulated health professions and establishes responsibility of regulatory colleges

Health Information Act / Access to Information Act

regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal health information in Alberta to protect patient privacy, while allowing appropriate information sharing for care and administration

• allows any person a right to access the records in the custody or under the contral of a public authority

• allows individuals a right to access personal information about themselves that is held by a public body

provides for independent reviews of decisions made by public bodies and resolution of complains

Access to Information Act and Protection of Privacy Act

grants the public the right to access records held by federal government institutions, promoting transparency and accountability in government operations.

• provides individuals the right to access information held by public bodies in Alberta and protects personal privacy by regulating how public bodies collect, use, and disclose information

what act did the Acccess to Information and Protection of Privacy Acts replace?

FOIP Act

• introduces stricter privacy protections and enhances privacy for Albertans by creating privacy-by-design for public bodies and notification requirements for breaches

Protection for Persons in Care Act

mandates the reporting of abuse involving clients and provides healthcare to people in a place where they are free from neglect and abuse

• responds to reports of abuse of Albertans receiving support or care services from publically funded service providers

Occupation Health and Safety Act

provincial law that outlines the rights and responsibilities of employers, workers, and supervisors to ensure a safe and healthy workplace

• sets the framework for preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, defines enforcement powers, and establishes the right to know about hazards, the right to participate in health and safety, and the right to refuse unsafe work

Worker’s Compensation Act of Alberta

Establishes a no-fault insurance system that provides financial and medical benefits to workers who are injured on the job or develop work related illnesses

• ensures employers fund the system through premiums and that injured workers receive support for recovery and return to work without having to sue their employer

Mazankowski Report of 2001

A review of Alberta's healthcare system that supported some privatization, recommended delisting services and implementing EHRs

• Outcome: Alberta becoms first province to implement EHRs

Kirby Report of 2002

a review of Canada’s healthcare system that stated the system was unsustainable without new taxes and premiums. It recommended setting limits to wait times (Canada pays for tx in USA if limit is exceeded) and investing heavily in IT/equipment

• outcomes: Ontario adopted health care premiums

Romanow Report of 2002

a review of Canada’s healthcare system that indicated that the system was sustainable with immediate action and funding. it opposed privatization (Kirby report) and recommended extending coverage to home care, mental heath, catastrophic drug costs

• outcomes: led to $10 billion federal funding and the creation of the CHT

  • wait times were then limited and posted (initially recommended in the Kirby report)

what criterion of the CHA did the Romanow Report add?

accountability

Hall Report of 1960

supported a national medicare program and recommended replacing private health companies with ten provincial public health insurance plans

• become the foundation for the CHA