Unconstitutional to prevent private care in Que.: top court

[Spazito]

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday that it's unconstitutional for the Quebec government to prevent people from paying for private medical care.

While the court said the policy violates the Quebec charter, they ruled it does not violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, meaning there is no immediate impact on the Canadian health care system as a whole.

The plaintiffs – a Montreal patient and a doctor – wanted the court to strike down sections of the Quebec Hospital Insurance Act that prevent people from buying health insurance for medical procedures covered by the public health plan.

The two men had separate complaints, but the court decided to hear their court challenges together.

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http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/09/newscoc-health050609.html