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GLOBAL NEWS/CANADA
JUDGE ORDERS QUEBEC TO REIMBURSE ABORTION COSTS
- Olivier Bourque
Canadian Press
MONTREAL - A court judgment that orders the Quebec government to give more than $13-million to nearly 45,000 women who had to pay for abortions is a victory for women, a Quebec doctor said Friday.
Justice Nicole Benard of Quebec Superior Court ruled the province misinterpreted its own medicare law by paying only a portion of the cost of abortions performed in certain women's health centres and private clinics.
The judgment in the class-action lawsuit covers abortions performed between 1999 and 2005.
Women who wanted the procedure presented their Quebec health insurance card but were then charged between $200 and $300.
Dr. Claude Paquin, director of an association that supports access to abortions, welcomed the ruling.
"What the lawsuit was able to get for all women who have had an abortion in the past few years is access to a fund that will be able to cover the $300 they paid illegally," said Dr. Paquin, who works for the Association de l'acces a l'avortement.
It isn't clear when the women will be reimbursed.
In Quebec City, Premier Jean Charest said the government will study the ruling.
"We feel very strongly that Quebec must continue to have a publicly accessible health-care system where medical care that is medically required is accessible to all citizens," Mr. Charest said. "We're very committed to that principle."
Bruce Johnston, one of the lawyers involved in the class-action lawsuit, said the ruling may have a spillover effect on other services offered in private clinics.
"If you are to offer an insured service, it has to be offered for free,"
Mr. Johnston said.
"If there are other medical acts which are a necessary component of an insured medical service, then they also have to be offered for free."
The abortion association's France Desilets was delighted with the judgment.
"This is a great day for all women in Quebec and a great day for all women in Canada as well because there are other provinces that have the same problem," Ms. Desilets said.
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