Health Services Review (1979-1980)
The Health Services Review was established under terms of reference, or
guidelines, that were set out by the federal and provincial ministers of Health
on September 17, 1979. These terms, which refer to the national health policy,
direct the Special Commissioner to:
- report on progress made on national health policy since the Royal
Commission in 1964;
- examine the extent to which principles of portability, reasonable access,
universal coverage, comprehensive coverage, public administration, and uniform
terms and conditions were being achieved;
- consider whether there should be other basic principles for health
insurance delivery;
- consider the nature and extent of necessary revisions to Hospital
Insurance and Diagnostic Services Act and Medical Care Act and
related legislation; and,
- consider other ways public authorities could comply with principles in the
Act.
The Review was chaired by Mr. Justice Emmett M. Hall, with
assistance in Québec from Dr. Alice Girard. The terms of reference included
consultation with federal and provincial ministers of Health and Social
Services, and their officials, health workers, users of health services and
health institutions, and associations that represented any of them. Mr. Justice
Hall held public hearings in every province and in the Northwest Territories,
and received 450 submissions.
Report
The final report of the Review, Canada's National-Provincial Health
Program for the 1980's: A Commitment for Renewal, was published in August
29, 1980. Recommendations include: ending user fees and extra-billing; changing
mechanisms for physicians' fees; and setting national standards for
portability, comprehensiveness, accessibility, public administration and
universal coverage.
Where to get the report
The Health Services Review report is only available in print form at some
public libraries,
depository libraries
throughout Canada, and some university libraries.
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