Ms. Alexa McDonough (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Medical Association today published evidence that patients treated in for-profit hospitals have a 2% higher risk of dying than those in not-for-profit hospitals. Based on 38 million patients, the study demolishes the health minister's contention that who owns or operates hospitals does not matter “as long as when you present your health card, your stay and treatment are paid for by a publicly administered health care system.” Has this dramatic evidence finally persuaded the health minister to change her mind?
Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the hon. member misunderstands what I said. I do not advocate for-profit hospitals. What I do advocate for is evidence-based decision-making. The importance of the Canadian Medical Association Journal article is that it provides us with more evidence that provincial and territorial health care ministers can use in making decisions as to how to best deliver health care on behalf of all Canadians.
Ms. Alexa McDonough (Halifax, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I certainly welcome that the minister is now acknowledging it is hard evidence that needs to underlie these decisions. The minister sent shock waves through the country on Jan. 18 when she talked about how it does not matter who owns and operates the hospitals. This is evidence to be sure based on 26 000 American hospitals. Applied to the Canadian context, this means that 2200 Canadians each year would die unnecessarily. I ask the minister again, will she withdraw her contention that it does not matter who owns and operates the hospitals?
Hon. Anne McLellan (Minister of Health, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, what I will say is that which I said earlier, which is what is important is evidence on which provincial and territorial health care ministers can make decisions around how health care is delivered in this country. In relation to that, the Canadian Medical Association Journal article is in fact an important contribution. It is one which I am sure my provincial and territorial colleagues as well as myself will review very carefully and with great interest. — Hansard, May 28, 2002 (see CMAJ 2002; 166 [11]:1399-406)