As reported by the Tyee, an on-line daily independent magazine based in British Columbia, doctors at the Copeman Healthcare Centre in downtown Vancouver have billed the Medical Services Plan close to $500,000 for health care services to “member” patients.
Patients at the Copeman clinic are required to pay a membership fee of $3900 for the first year and $2900 for subsequent years. Don Copeman, the owner of the clinic, says the fee covers “extra” services, like personal coaching, counselling, and diet advice that aren’t covered under the public insurance plan.
The controversial clinic was recently investigated and exonerated by the BC Medical Services Commission (MSC), a government body, for violating the BC Medicare Protection Act and the Canada Health Act. Critics, including the Council of Canadians, maintain that the Copeman clinic violates health care law by charging patients fees before they can see a doctor and get medically-necessary services. Both BC law and the Canada Health Act prohibit doctors from charging patients money in order to access health care services.
When a reporter from the Tyee called the clinic’s main phone line last week to ask about making an appointment, he was told by clinic staff that, “You do have to be a member.” Non-members can see a doctor, the reporter was told, for a fee of $175 – even if they don’t want any “enhanced medical services.”
In media release November 30, the Council of Canadians criticized the BC government’s complacency on the activities of private clinics and called for the full and immediate release of the MSC report of their investigation into the Copeman Healthcare Centre. Council of Canadians’ chapter activists have protested private clinics and sent their concerns directly to Premier Gordon Campbell, calling for provincial government intervention.
The Council of Canadians has also called on the federal government for leadership on the issue. “The federal government is responsible for enforcing the Canada Health Act, but has been silent on the proliferation of private clinics, not only in BC, but across the country,” said Guy Caron, Health Care Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. “There is no leadership on the issue of privatization and these private clinics that charge people money to access services continue to operate unchecked. Where is the federal government on this issue?”
You can view the full article here http:///News/2007/12/10/DrDoubleDip/
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