In some circumstances, these facilities have charged patients additional fees, over and above the fees covered by Medicare, though this is a violation of the Canada Health Act prohibition against extra-billing. Recently, the Alberta government has introduced legislation that would allow private, for-profit hospitals to offer services and receive payment under Medicare. This includes contracts for cleaning, kitchen and maintenance services, as well as purchasing and facilities management. The decision to contract-out certain services is often based on the assumption that private companies are more efficient and can provide the same services at reduced costs. However, there is substantial evidence to suggest that for-profit services are often of poorer quality, more costly, and subsidized by lowering workers' wages.
Health care is one of the most highly unionized sectors for women in the paid labour force.
Union positions often mean better wages, benefits and job security. When services are contracted out to private companies, these businesses often attempt to protect their profit margins by employing non-unionized workers at lower rates of pay. Women working as nursing home aides, hospital cleaners and food service workers, have seen their work privatized and their wages drop. Send feedback to the Web Site Coordinator.