Media Clipping — Thursday July.17th, 2008, Calgary Sun

Report says more paying for private health care

A report released today says Canadians are spending more out of their own pockets on health care than they were 25 years ago, increasing the risk for financial crisis during illness.

The new report prepared for GPI Atlantic, a N.S. think tank, says Canadians spent $452 per capita on health care in 2007, compared to $222 in 1981, in real terms.

The report studied risks faced by Canadians when they are sick, elderly, unemployed or single parents, with a focus on how N.S. rates.

Last year Canadians spent a total of $16.5 billion for private health-care costs, including drugs, dental and eye care.

People in P.E.I and B.C. spent the biggest percentage of their disposable income on private health care costs

Copyright © 2008, The Canadian Press