Annual Meeting 2011

Resolutions

CNA Resolutions - June 2004

RESOLUTION 8	END THE FOR PROFIT DELIVERY AND FOR PROFIT FINANCE OF HEALTH CARE IN CANADA
(Approved)

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) lobby the prime minister, minister of health and other political leaders in the federal government to use all available means in ending for-profit delivery of health care in Canada; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That CNA lobby the prime minister, minister of health and other political leaders in the federal government to remove incentives that encourage public-private partnerships (P3s) and to commit to ending P3s, using all available means; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That CNA strongly advocate for the enforcement of the Canada Health Act to ensure that health services in all provinces and territories are delivered in a publicly funded, not-for-profit delivery basis.

Background

There is considerable evidence of the negative cost and health consequences of for-profit health care delivery and of public-private partnerships (P3s). This evidence appears in such prestigious journals as the Canadian Medical Association Journal (for-profit delivery), the Journal of the American Medical Association (for-profit delivery), and the British Medical Journal (public-private partnerships).

Roy Romanow, in releasing his report “The Future of Health Care in Canada,” stated that he could find no evidence supporting for-profit health care and he added that no evidence was forthcoming when he extended an open invitation to receive it. There is no conclusive evidence that for-profit delivery is more cost efficient, or provides better patient outcomes or improves access to care. In light of international trade agreements, further expansion of for-profit delivery threatens the ability of Canada to maintain and enhance our health care system.

Further, the strong message conveyed by thousands of Canadians to Commissioner Romanow during public hearings, provides clear indication of the commitment and support Canadians have for not-for-profit health care.

As with for-profit delivery, P3s have attracted strong opposition from Canadians, as they are a very expensive way of borrowing money (privately). By foregoing the traditional cheaper method of government borrowing, future generations are saddled with inflated costs, which inevitably come out of patient care. Current government accounting methodology provides an incentive to use P3s because P3s get the borrowing off of government books, even though governments remain liable for paying off the costly loans.

Submitted by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario