The Regulation of Private Health Funding and Insurance in Alberta Under the Canada Health Act: A Comparative Cross-Provincial Perspective

The range of options for provincial regulation of private funding and private insurance for health services under the Canada Health Act (CHA) is much wider than conventionally thought. While provinces tend to be considerably more restrictive than required by the CHA, existing legislation across the Canadian provinces presents a wide and varied menu for reform in the funding of health services. Given this, other factors including provincial public opinion appear to more significantly constrain reform than the CHA. The paper considers these issues with a focus on Alberta -- a province often seen to stand at the forefront of health care reform in Canada

The Regulation of Private Health Funding and Insurance in Alberta Under the Canada Health Act: A Comparative Cross-Provincial Perspective

The range of options for provincial regulation of private funding and private insurance for health services under the Canada Health Act (CHA) is much wider than conventionally thought. While provinces tend to be considerably more restrictive than required by the CHA, existing legislation across the Canadian provinces presents a wide and varied menu for reform in the funding of health services. Given this, other factors including provincial public opinion appear to more significantly constrain reform than the CHA. The paper considers these issues with a focus on Alberta -- a province often seen to stand at the forefront of health care reform in Canada