The Hamilton Spectator Ontario residents will soon get billing statements showing how much their care cost after each hospital visit or trip to the doctor. Health Minister Tony Clement said the invoices announced yesterday are designed to expose fraud by doctors and make patients more aware of how much their treatments cost taxpayers. However, the move is triggering alarm bells among doctors who fear it will break patient confidentiality if the statements are sent to people's homes. He said the statement would tip off spouses, parents or other family members that some sort of medical care had been sought.
Privacy is a critical issue.
The statements were one of a number of sweeping reforms that will soon be used to make the health care system more accountable. The province plans to create hospital report cards and post them on its Web sites. The Ministry of Health will then link money given to hospitals with how well they perform. In addition, the Tory government will create a patients' charter outlining what we have a right to expect from the health care system. The new measures are similar to what is planned for school boards, colleges and universities.