MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2007

Council of Canadians calls on B.C. government to investigate private clinics

Vancouver - The Council of Canadians is calling on B.C. Health Minister George Abbott to investigate the Cambie Surgery Centre and the Specialist Referral Clinic for possible violations of the BC Medicare Protection Act and the Canada Health Act.

In a recent Globe and Mail article, Dr. Brian Day, part owner of the Vancouver-based Cambie Surgery Centre, admitted that he allows patients to pay cash for surgeries. "They can pay direct," he told The Globe and Mail.

“Dr. Brian Day has admitted to violating the Canada Health Act,” said Steven Shrybman, a lawyer with expertise in Canada Health Act issues. “The provincial government has an obligation to launch an investigation.”

Based in Vancouver, the Specialist Referral Clinic is also headed by incoming CMA President Dr. Brian Day. According to the clinic’s website, the clinic offers “rapid access to world class specialists.” There are more than 30 medical specialists listed at the clinic offering services in orthopaedics, general surgery, cardiology, and other areas. The website says CT scans and MRIs can be booked in one to two days at “leading diagnostic facilities” and if necessary, surgery can be arranged at Dr. Day’s own Cambie Surgery Centre. A consultation costs between $500-$800 which can be paid for with cash, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or interac.

“These clinics appear to be offering medically necessary services for a price,” said Guy Caron, Health Care Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. “The B.C. government should be doing more to clamp down on private clinics that allow people to jump the queue and pay money for faster access to health care services.”

The Council of Canadians is also calling on the federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act and withhold transfer payments from provinces that let private clinics continue to operate.

“British Columbia now has more than 70 private, for-profit clinics,” said Caron. “It’s time for the B.C. government to act.”

The Council of Canadians is in Vancouver to speak in support and provide evidence of the benefits of public health care. For more information about the Council’s profit is not cure campaign, visit our website at www.profitisnotthecure.ca. Click here to watch video of press conference.

About us:

Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country. The organization works to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians.

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For more information, contact: Jan Malek, Communications Administrator: cell: 613-851-1483; or Carleen Pickard, BC Regional Organizer cell: 604-340-2455.

Visit profitisnotthecure.ca for live updates from Vancouver and to download fact sheets.