The Private Insurance Debate In Canadian Health Policy: Making the Values Explicit

Should Canadian governments prohibit private insurance for services parallel to those provided in the publicly insured health care system? We believe that the values engaged by this issue have not been made clear and explicit in health policy discussion and debate. With reference to the recent Chaoulli case at the Supreme Court of Canada, we articulate what we take to be the main values in tension and conflict, and distinguish three main value-based positions on the policy issue. By doing so we hope to contribute to a more informed, explicit and open public policy discussion.