News Releases:

January 18, 2006
Over 70% of Canadians support Supreme Court decision allowing
non-government healthcare
Federal politicians out of step with Canadians on patient choice
Vancouver, BC,


Federal politicians appear out of step with Canadians on the question of patient choice as a new national survey finds that a majority of Canadians are highly receptive to non-governmental healthcare.

The national survey - commissioned by the Canadian Independent Medical Clinics Association (CIMCA) and undertaken by COMPAS - found that over 7 out of 10 Canadians favoured the Supreme Court decision allowing supplementary private health insurance and care, while less than 2 out of 10 viewed the decision as unreasonable.

Twice as many Canadians (61%) would support a political party allowing healthcare services outside the Medicare system as would support a party permitting government-only services (28%).

"It is clear that Canadians are saying yes to choice," said Dr. Brian Day, Orthopedic Surgeon and President of CIMCA. "In the wake of the news that Liberal leader Paul Martin and NDP leader Jack Layton used a private for profit clinic, Canadians appear ready to endorse similar access for friends, family and themselves."

The survey found that over three quarters of Canadians would encourage a friend to look at non-government options as a way of overcoming the problem of long waiting periods. Less than 1 in 8 would oppose looking outside the Medicare system.

"Two million Canadians on wait lists is unconscionable," said Day. "Patients must be given choice and a way out of their suffering"

Three quarters of Canadians said our elected leaders should consider the experience of countries with parallel public/private systems, with only one in seven opposing the idea.

"Canada's healthcare system is rated 30th in the world while costs are the highest among countries with universal health systems. Canadians recognize that we can learn from those countries whose services are rated the best the world."

CIMCA is a not-for-profit organization that represents medical clinics, health care workers and patients. Its mission is to promote improved access to high quality and timely health care for all Canadians.

To view the Compass Poll click here.

For further information:
Zoltan Nagy, Executive Vice-President of CIMCA  T: 604.688.6364 M: 604.338.6403
Dr. Brian Day, President of CIMCA  T: 604.874.1349 M: 604.644.2148

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