Promote the *Canada Health Act* to make absolutely clear that extra-billings and user fees are illegal and reporting is improved.

What success looks like

Canadians have access to publicly funded health care, without financial barriers at point of service.

Government's narrative on progress

The Government of Canada is committed to defending the *Canada Health Act*. In August 2018, following a number of discussions with provinces and territories, the Minister of Health sent a letter to all provincial and territorial Ministers of Health formalizing three new *Canada Health Act* initiatives: • The Diagnostic Services Policy, which confirms the longstanding federal position that medically necessary diagnostic services are insured services, regardless of the venue where the services are delivered; • The Reimbursement Policy, which provides the federal Minister of Health the discretion to provide a reimbursement should a province or territory be subject to a deduction due to extra-billing or user charges. This reimbursement will be subject to terms and conditions including that the province or territory come into compliance with the Act within a specified timeframe; and • Strengthened reporting, which will ensure that Health Canada has the information required to accurately assess compliance with the Act, as well as to increase transparency for Canadians on the administration of the Act. The most recent *Canada Health Act* Annual Report explains in detail how these initiatives are being implemented and provides information on the extent to which provincial and territorial health care insurance plans have fulfilled the requirements of the Act. The *Canada Health Act* Annual Report is developed in collaboration with the provincial and territorial governments and is tabled in Parliament each year by the Minister of Health.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.