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Supreme Court strikes down Quebec law banning private health care Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada has struck down a Quebec law banning private insurance for services covered under medicare.

The high court ruled that the law violates Quebec's charter of rights.

It split on the implications for other provinces.

The Canadian Medical Association called it a "historic" ruling that could "fundamentally change the health-care system in Canada as we now know it."

It said it needed time to study the decision before commenting further.

The case involved Quebec doctor Jacques Chaoulli and his patient George Zeliotis who argued that the ban on buying private insurance for health care infringed on Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

They also argued that it violated the Quebec charter.

Zeliotis said his year-long wait for a hip replacement in 1997 violated both charters.

Chaoulli has long campaigned for the right to set up a private medical business, and once went on a hunger strike over the issue.

Public opinion polls have shown strong support for single-tier health care, with service based on need rather than ability to pay.

Pro-medicare groups such as the Canadian Health Coalition say pressure to strike down the rules of medicare came from health-care companies that want new market opportunities.

But political figures such as Senator Michael Kirby have argued in favour of permitting a greater role for private care. Chaoulli and Zeliotis received support from for-profit clinics in the Vancouver area.

Two Quebec courts had already ruled against Chaoulli.