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Hospital Insurance Introduced in Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Government, led by leader Tommy Douglas, introduces the first provincial hospital insurance program In Canada. The photo shows one of the first Saskatchewan Health Cards that gave the holder the opportunity to have the government pay for their hospital bill. -
Canada Introduces a National Hospital Program
Paul Martin Sr., a leader in the government of PM Lester Pearson, introduced a national hospital insurance program for all Canadians. Doctors, insurance companies and big business fight against it. The photo shows Paul Martin Sr. with former PM William Lyon Mackenzie King. -
Medical Association opposes public health insurance
The Canadian Medical Association, which represents doctors across Canada, opposes all publicly (government) funded health care services and programs. -
Saskatchewan expands Health Insurance
Saskatchewan’s CCF government introduces the first public health care program. This expanded the hospital insurance to include most medical services both inside and outside hospitals. Doctors walk out and go on strike but the strike collapses after 3 weeks. The photo shows striking doctors in Regina, Saskatchewan. -
National Health Care Program Recommended
A Royal Commission appointed by PM John Diefenbaker recommended for a universal (for everyone) and comprehensive (covering almost everything and everywhere) national health insurance program. The phot shows Canadian PM John Diefenbaker who started the Commission. He would lose the election after the commission began so PM Pearson would have to implement the changes suggested by the commission, -
Full National Health Insurance created
PM Pearson's government made a national health care program with Ottawa paying 50% of provincial health costs. Before, doctors charged whatever they wanted. Many people went broke to pay the doctor. Now the government of each province would decide how much it would cost for for medical procedures and doctor's fees. Also, citizens got portable (it moved with you), comprehensive (lots of services) and universal (everyone included) access to necessary doctor and hospital without paying. -
Canada Health Act
The Canadian government combined a variety of laws about health care into 1 single law. It confirmed the importance that health care be run by the government, be comprehensive, universal, portable, and accessible. It made the standards for health care more similar across Canada's provinces. -
First Nurse led medical clinic
In Sudbury, Ontario, a clinic was opened that used only nurses, not doctors to diagnose and treat medical issues. The goal was to shorten the wait times for people to get access to medical care. -
2013: Waiting Your Turn Report
The Fraser Institute writes a report on health care in Canada. It shows that the wait times for Canadians to see a specialist of health problems increased in length by 95% between 1993 and 2013.