Health care
In Canada, health care is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces. As a result, within Québec the Québec government is responsible for legislating, designing policies and programs, and providing health care services.
The principles underlying Québec’s health care system are universality, portability, comprehensiveness, accessibility and public administration.
The health and social services sector is the main budget priority of the Québec government: 43% of the 2006-2007 budget, or $22.1 billion, is allocated to health and social services, an increase of 6.3% compared to 2005-2006.
The health care system has three specific features that make it unique:
- health services and social services were brought together under the same administration in 1971, making it possible to respond to all the social and health needs of each individual; this feature sets Québec apart from the other Canadian provinces;.
- the state defines the services available, funds their production and administration, and sets equitable conditions for access.
- in 1961, the introduction of hospital insurance marked the start of a public health care system with universal access to hospital services free of charge;
- in 1971, a universal health insurance program gave the entire population access, free of charge, to the medical care and services provided by physicians in private practice;
- in 1997, a universal prescription drug insurance plan was added. The program is a partnership between the state and private insurers that offers drug coverage to all Quebecers, regardless of age, income or state of health.
- Québec’s health and social service system has three levels of organization: central, regional and local.
