Quebec drops what would have been
precedent-setting plan to charge health fees
The Canadian Press
QUEBEC - The Quebec government has suddenly abandoned its plan to introduce health care user fees in a move that could have a broader impact on the future of Canadian medicare.
The move would have been the first of its kind in the country — and, some argue, would have violated the Canada Health Act.
The Charest government all but admitted that an unexpected public outcry killed the policy.
"The polls had been very favorable to user fees. But when it's staring people in the face they change their minds," Finance Minister Raymond Bachand said Wednesday.
The provincial government announced the move in its tough-love budget last spring, in one of several unpopular measures designed to help trim the budget deficit.
The policy quickly made waves across the country and triggered talk of possible copycat moves in other provinces.
All jurisdictions are struggling with ballooning health-care costs and policy-makers have been keeping a close eye on the Quebec move for its legal, political, and fiscal impact.
It didn't take long for the political storm clouds to gather.
Quebecers quickly organized large street demonstrations when the government announced it would charge taxpayers a $200-a-year health premium, then bill patients another $25 for each hospital visit.
The Harper government avoided taking a position on Quebec's move. But the federal Liberals, after announcing their support, were forced into hasty retreat amid a backlash among their own grassroots.
The Liberals introduced the Canada Health Act more than a quarter-century ago and have always stood against user fees, citing them as a clear violation of that act.
Quebec's user fees would have brought an estimated $500 million a year to the provincial treasury.
The province says it now has to find another way to fill that budget shortfall; health care costs in the province are now more than $20 billion per year and are projected to grow five per cent annually.
