
U.S.-style private health clinics coming to Ontario CBC \|\| January 13, 2006 Related - Vancouver clinic a 'toe in door' for private medicine A chain of private clinics offering a U.S. style of health care that includes access to fitness coaches and dietitians is expanding operations to Ontario. Don Copeman, the chain's founder, has plans to establish 40 clinics across Canada in the next five years, including three in Ontario by the summer. There are goals for clinics in 12 cities by 2008. "We deliberately chose to announce the opening of these new clinics in Ontario because Premier [Dalton] McGuinty has shown himself to be someone who embraces innovation and champions change," Copeman said in a news release. The first Copeman Healthcare Clinic opened in Vancouver in November to criticism that it was elitist. Copeman Healthcare clients pay a basic annual fee of $2,300 a person, plus a onetime, non-refundable $1,200 membership fee to cover the cost of setting up an electronic health record. For family memberships, children under age 22 are free. The fees also cover access to family doctors and specialists, and advanced screening for multiple diseases. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com "This is an area where people actually do have to reach into their own pockets and contribute and invest in their own personal health," Copeman said. On its website, the Copeland clinic is described in luxurious terms. The reception area includes "a personal entertainment centre, refreshment bar and wireless internet access." The clinic also offers insured health services, which are covered by provincial health plans. Out of reach But critics say the cost associated with such private clinics is out of reach for most families. Sharon Sholzberg-Gray, president of the Ottawa-based Canadian Healthcare Association, says a family of four could face a $10,000 bill. "There's a certain limited client base for that. That is not the way to run a health-care system and that is not going to solve access issues for most Canadians." She says the opening of private clinics highlights the government's need to address a shortage of family physicians. About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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U.S.-style private health clinics coming to Ontario

CBC || January 13, 2006

Related - Vancouver clinic a 'toe in door' for private medicine

A chain of private clinics offering a U.S. style of health care that includes access to fitness coaches and dietitians is expanding operations to Ontario.

Don Copeman, the chain's founder, has plans to establish 40 clinics across Canada in the next five years, including three in Ontario by the summer. There are goals for clinics in 12 cities by 2008.

"We deliberately chose to announce the opening of these new clinics in Ontario because Premier [Dalton] McGuinty has shown himself to be someone who embraces innovation and champions change," Copeman said in a news release.

The first Copeman Healthcare Clinic opened in Vancouver in November to criticism that it was elitist.

Copeman Healthcare clients pay a basic annual fee of $2,300 a person, plus a onetime, non-refundable $1,200 membership fee to cover the cost of setting up an electronic health record. For family memberships, children under age 22 are free.

The fees also cover access to family doctors and specialists, and advanced screening for multiple diseases.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

"This is an area where people actually do have to reach into their own pockets and contribute and invest in their own personal health," Copeman said.

On its website, the Copeland clinic is described in luxurious terms. The reception area includes "a personal entertainment centre, refreshment bar and wireless internet access."

The clinic also offers insured health services, which are covered by provincial health plans.

Out of reach

But critics say the cost associated with such private clinics is out of reach for most families.

Sharon Sholzberg-Gray, president of the Ottawa-based Canadian Healthcare Association, says a family of four could face a $10,000 bill.

"There's a certain limited client base for that. That is not the way to run a health-care system and that is not going to solve access issues for most Canadians."

She says the opening of private clinics highlights the government's need to address a shortage of family physicians.

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