Question Period Note: Canada Health Act Compliance Issues

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KEY MESSAGES
• Our Government is committed to publicly funded and universal health care for all.
• The Canada Health Act ensures all Canadians have access to medically necessary health services based on their health need, not their ability or willingness to pay.
• This Government is committed to upholding the Canada Health Act to ensure patients do not face barriers when accessing these services. Health Canada will continue to work with provinces and territories to eliminate patient charges for required care.
IF PRESSED
Q1 : If pressed on accessing care provided by regulated health care providers like nurse practitioners
A1 :
• Nurse practitioners deliver comprehensive care to many Canadians who do not have access to a physician. Some patients are being charged to access this care.
• As of April 1, 2026, under the new Canada Health Act Services Policy, charges for medically necessary care provided by regulated health care professionals, like nurse practitioners, will be considered patient charges under the Canada Health Act. Most jurisdictions are already moving toward covering these services and eliminating patient charges to access them.
Q2 : If pressed on membership fees at private primary care clinics
A2 :
• The Government of Canada does not support a two-tiered health care system where patients may choose, or be required, to pay membership fees to access insured primary care services at clinics, or to gain preferential access to those services.
• These fees are considered patient charges under the Canada Health Act and raise concerns under the accessibility criterion of the Act.
• When made aware of such fees, Health Canada engages with their provincial or territorial counterparts to eliminate them.
Q3 : If pressed on Canada health transfer deductions levied to Quebec in March 2025
A3 :
• In January 2025, Quebec acknowledged Health Canada’s calculation of patient charges for medically necessary diagnostic services levied in 2022-2023, based on data published by Statistics Canada. This resulted in a $35.2 million Canada Health Transfer deduction in March 2025.
• Acknowledging continued efforts made by Quebec to improve access to these services, Health Canada authorised a $21.1 million reimbursement of this deduction.
• Health Canada continues to work with Quebec to encourage the elimination of these patient charges and allow for the full reimbursement of this deduction.

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• In March 2025, Health Canada deducted ~$62 million from provincial and territorial Canada Health Transfer payments in respect of patient charges for insured services.
• At the same time, ~$52 million was reimbursed under the Canada Health Act’s Reimbursement Policy to acknowledge provincial and territorial efforts to eliminate those charges.