House of Commons
Question Period
May 28, 2002
For-Profit Hospital Study
Canadian Medical Association Journal
(unofficial transcript)
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Ms. Alexa McDonough (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Medical Association today published evidence that patients treated in for profit hospitals have a 2% higher risk of dying than those in not for profit hospitals. Based on 38 million patients, the study demolishes the health minister's contention that who owns or operates hospitals does not matter. "As long as when you present your health card, your stay and treatment are paid for by a publicly administered health care system". Has this dramatic evidence finally persuaded the health minister to change her mind?
Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, in case the hon. member misunderstands what I said, I do not advocate for profit hospitals. What I do advocate for is evidence of safe decision making. In fact, the importance of the Canadian Medical Association Journal article is that it provides us with more evidence that provincial and territorial health care ministers can use in making decisions as to how to best deliver health care on behalf of all Canadians.
Ms. Alexa McDonough (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is welcomed that the minister is now acknowledging that it is hard evidence that needs to underlie these decisions. This minister sent shock waves through the country on January 18 when she talked about how it does not matter who owns and operates the hospitals. This is evidence to be sure based on 26,000 American hospitals. Applied to the Canadian context this means that 2,200 Canadians each year would die unnecessarily. I ask the minister again, will she withdraw her contention that it does not matter who owns and operates the hospitals?
Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, what I will say is that which I said earlier, which is what is importance is evidence on which provincial and territorial health care ministers can make decisions around how health care is delivered in this country. In relation to that, the Canadian Medical Association Journal article is in fact an important contribution and one that I am sure my provincial and territorial colleagues, as well as myself, will review very carefully and with great interest.
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Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the health minister says she wants to make evidence based decisions. Well she now has the evidence: the hard, cold facts, the conclusive results of the McMaster University study that shows that private hospital care increases death rates. She also knows that under her watch private hospitals and clinics have opened up in Ontario, Alberta and BC. My question for the minister is, now that she has the evidence will she act to stop privatization?
Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated before, if one presumes that provincial and territorial health ministers make decisions in relation to delivery methods for health care on the basis of evidence, the McMaster study is an important study. It is one study, and I have no doubt that provincial and territorial colleagues will study that, just as I will.
Ms. Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the McMaster study, which shows that private hospital care increases death rates, is a call to action for the minister and the government. Four months ago the health minister said private delivery was not a big deal. We now know it is a big deal. It is a matter of life and death. Under this minister new privatization initiatives have occurred in Calgary, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Brampton and Ottawa. At this rate deaths will occur in Canada as a result of the minister's inaction. Will she now stop privatization of our health care system.
Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, here is another example of the hon. member's tactics in relation to scaremongering. As I have said throughout, my provincial and territorial colleagues and I will make decisions on the basis of the best evidence. The hon. member is suggesting that this is a useful study in terms of helping us understand those delivery modes which make the most sense in various circumstances. Absolutely, I think the McMaster study will be very useful to all of us in making those decisions.
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