Canada Health Act

Pandemic has brought unexpected joy for some families with autism, ‘wake-up call’ for others

Sask. government promised to expand funding for autistic children in 2021. Declan, who recently turned six, is autistic. His mother, Tarah Degelman, says the pandemic has been hard on him because of the lack of access to therapies and … READ MORE

People with disabilities excluded from re-opening plans, advocates warn

People with disabilities have been shut out of the conversation as Canadians plan to return to school, work and play, further jeopardizing their health and safety in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates warn. The woman in the … READ MORE

Program involving community volunteers shows promise for reducing health care use by seniors

Incorporating community volunteers into the health care system shows promise in reducing health care usage by older adults and shifting health care from hospitals to primary care, according to new research in the Canadian Medical … READ MORE

Families, advocates of students with disabilities seek clarity in school reopening plans

Additional funding urged along with comprehensive plans and clear directives. Students with disabilities face extra complications heading back to school in a pandemic, including how to access support services, and parents say more … READ MORE

Child care after the pandemic should be more inclusive of children with disabilities

When child-care centres reopen, they should consider the needs of children with disabilities. Across Canada, some provinces have either opened or are looking at opening their child-care centres again following pandemic closures. But … READ MORE

Pandemic upends the lives of people with disabilities — and of their caregivers

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Stacy Ellingen, 34, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, lost two of the three caregivers she depends on to dress, shower, eat and use the bathroom. The caregivers — both University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students … READ MORE

Kids with disabilities face health risks and marginalization under COVID-19

COVID-19 has been disruptive to all families, a McMaster University professor says, but the effects of school closures, medical equipment shortages and social distancing are further amplified for families of children with … READ MORE

Staff restrictions, lack of PPE endangering Albertans with disabilities

Help accessing personal protective equipment is on the way, says Alberta Health Services. ‘We feel forgotten’: Disability community overlooked during COVID-19, families say. Government of Alberta says its working with … READ MORE

It can be very taxing on families: New study reflects unmet needs of Canadian caregivers

1 in 4 Canadians provide care to a family member or friend – StatsCan report. Of those surveyed by Statistics Canada for a report released in January 2020, nearly 70 per cent of caregivers who had received some type of support … READ MORE

Parents say they can’t afford their disabled children under N.L. health system

Many families don’t qualify for coverage for costly special equipment and respite care. The family of six-year-old Lauren Tucker says they struggle to pay for all the care she needs — and they’re not the only ones. … READ MORE

We should care more about caregivers

Caregivers in Canada need more support It’s time to strengthen support for the 28% of people who provide care for an ageing family member, friend or neighbour in Canada, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association … READ MORE

Once its greatest foes, doctors are embracing single-payer

When the American Medical Association — one of the nation’s most powerful health care groups — met in Chicago this June, its medical student caucus seized an opportunity for change. Doctors for the 99 Percent march from Zuccotti … READ MORE

Crucial for health system, many caregivers are struggling financially and emotionally

Caregivers are ‘glue that keeps the health-care system together,’ foundation says. Stephane Alexis embraces his brother Torence, left, as they are photographed in their family home near Ottawa. Stephane helps provide care … READ MORE

How to improve health care in Canada

Expanding public funding for cost-effective treatments, investing in primary care, embracing technology and engaging patients are some of the ways Canada can improve the quality of health care, according to an analysis in CMAJ … READ MORE

Did Canada break a promise to its disabled citizens?

Despite their differing approaches, both Canada and the U.S. face challenges in keeping their promise to improve the economic wellbeing of their disabled citizens. Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough rises … READ MORE

Universal health coverage can best be achieved by public systems

Expanding coverage by ushering in the private sector results in inequities in access, argue Ramya Kumar and Anne-Emanuelle Birn. A new study on universal health care shows partisans are bad at reading studies. The New Republic The BMJ … READ MORE

Should Canada’s health insurance system be a model for the United States?

Most rich democracies provide citizens universal coverage for medical services—but not in the United States, where tens of millions of people remain without health insurance and costs far exceed spending in any other country. Aerial … READ MORE

The tale of two Medicares: Canadian and American

Medicare for all — or the idea that every American should have some form of public health insurance — continues to forge its way into political debates. With such momentum, however, can come fear mongering and obstructionism. … READ MORE

Canadian patients should have online access to their medical records, some doctors say

‘You’re part of the care,’ says daughter who monitors her mom’s cancer treatment online. Yvonne Wright says online access to her mother’s test results as she undergoes cancer treatment is helpful and … READ MORE

Why can’t you access your health record online?

In recent years, more and more patients around the world are logging into their health records online—but few Canadians have access to this service. Letting patients read the doctor’s notes in The New York Times Wendy Glauser, … READ MORE

More health-care spending an expensive way to buy health

It’s budget season and provincial governments are continuing to spend more on healthcare than any other portfolio. For example, Alberta spends almost half its budget on health — an estimated $22 billion this year — which is more … READ MORE

In Ontario, new project will give providers and patients more access to health records

SPARK is designed to support innovators with market-ready or in-market digital health solutions. Currently, the SPARK pathway is for digital health innovators working with one or more Health Information Custodians (HICs). Innovators … READ MORE

Uninsured patients in Ontario: People get sicker, the system pays more

Patricia, left, a native of Guyana, says she feels “in control” since she started taking part in the Health With Dignity Program. She is speaking here with health coach Candace Crawford. Carlos Osorio, Toronto Star Dafna Izenberg, … READ MORE

Provincial health ministers support idea of national pharmacare

Goertzen says Manitoba wants plan to be defined, adequate, secure, and able to deal with inflation. Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor speaks to reporters after meeting with provincial and territorial health ministers in … READ MORE

Premiers call for ‘voluntary’ pharmacare program funded by Ottawa

Quebec confirms it will opt out of federal drug plan, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball, left, made it clear at the premiers’ closing news conference Friday that if the federal government wants a national drug … READ MORE

Physicians urge Ottawa to pay another $21B over decade for seniors health care

Report comes ahead of the annual premiers’ Council of the Federation meeting. Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, Ont., is shown on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. Physicians are calling on the federal government to shell out … READ MORE

Pharmacare may appeal to premiers seeking consensus this week in NB

‘I’m confident that we’ll create a model that suits Canada,’ advisory council chair Eric Hoskins says. Former Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins was asked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to head a federal … READ MORE

How Canada is harming its most vulnerable citizens

The tangled web of disability governance and policy in Canada bodes poorly for Canadians with severe disabilities. National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier, standing during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament … READ MORE

No rational person would design a healthcare system this way

Justin Trudeau was a hard act to follow, but the next speaker defined the most important issue of the 2019 election. At the Liberal convention, Dr. Danielle Martin argued a national pharmacare program is long overdue: ‘No rational … READ MORE

Doctors in U.S. and Canada launch sweeping pharmaceutical reform proposal

Plan published today in the British Medical Journal outlines seven steps to slash costs, improve access, and increase safety of prescription medications in both nations. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. John Locher AP Photo in The … READ MORE

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