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OHIP- And Out Of Country Health Services In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that Canadian governments  federal and provincial — had created a "virtual monopoly" over health care. That monopoly, the court further ruled, had proven itself incapable of providing timely care to many patients. Even so, governments had made it illegal for Canadians to pay for treatment on their own when the government monopoly could not or would not provide it. That was putting Canadians' lives at risk with no possibility of escape, which the court determined 6-1 was a violation of our Charter rights. Unfortunately, because the Chaoulli challenge was brought only against Quebec's health care law, the court's decision applied only in Quebec. For it to apply across the country, it may be necessary to bring similar challenges in every province. The Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has decided to start with Alberta. Both Allen and Cross (the two patients who will serve

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney outlined his plan to reduce health benefits for refugees. Earlier this month, all refugee claimants — except for government-sponsored refugees, such as those who arrive in Canada as permanent residents — lost federally funded supplemental health benefits for prescription drugs, dental work, vision care and medical devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs. Those refugees who are rejected after exhausting all appeals are also no longer eligible for free health care of any kind, unless their conditions pose a risk to public health or safety, such as infectious diseases like tuberculosis and HIV. When the Conservative government eventually comes up with its list of designated "safe" countries, refugee claimants hailing from nations on that list will face the same restrictions as rejected claimants. The changes are expected to save the federal government $100 million over five years. Doctors have been protesting the cuts by interrupting m

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court's decision to uphold most of President Barack Obama's health care law will come home to roost for most taxpayers in about 2 1/2 years, when they'll have to start providing proof on their  tax returns that they have health insurance. Under the law, the IRS will provide tax breaks and incentives to help pay for health insurance  and impose penalties on some people who don't buy coverage and on some businesses  that don't offer it to employees. Those who don't get qualified health insurance  will be required to pay the penalty — or tax — starting for the 2014 tax year, unless they are  exempt because of low income, religious beliefs, or because they are members of American Indian tribes. The law allows the IRS to withhold tax refunds  to collect the penalty, and most filers get refunds.  This year, 77 percent of the 135 million individual  income tax returns processed by the IRS qualified for a refund. The average refund: $2,707. Most