THE QUEBEC CANCER COALITION IS ABSOLUTELY AGAINST IT

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Charging patients for rooms at the MUHC and the CHUM
THE QUEBEC CANCER COALITION IS ABSOLUTELY
AGAINST IT
Montreal, January 15, 2014 – The Québec Cancer Coalition is absolutely against the idea
of charging patients for rooms at the new CHUM and MUHC based on their income level.
Rooms, which will all be private, a decision made by the government. “It’s inconceivable
that such a measure is actually being considered by the Minister of Health and Social
Services,” said Nathalie Rodrigue, TM, president of the Coalition.
“Bearing in mind that many patients, especially those struggling with cancer or other
serious diseases, often face a precarious financial reality, it’s unthinkable to impose
additional costs on them. It’s even more unacceptable when they have no other choice
but to be admitted to a university hospital, a requirement made by their government,”
added the president of the Coalition’s Patients and Survivors Committee, Serge Dion.
In addition, the Coalition is partially reassured by the development of the MSSS, which
claims to maintain a supply of free rooms in hospitals. However, accepting a fee based
on income in the new university hospitals is a definite no, no. “That’s what our taxes are
there for!”
The precarious financial situation of people affected by cancer
Here are some facts from a 2009 Léger Marketing survey on health care and cancer
services in Québec:
- 29% of cancer patients had no health insurance to cover the essential costs
associated with their treatment;
- About 3% of them had to forgo treatment because they couldn’t afford it;
- 32% received only partial reimbursement for their medication;
- 60% of patients received no financial support.
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About the Coalition
Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec was founded in 2001 to protect, support and give
a voice to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, informal caregivers, their
families and their loved ones, as well as cancer-related community organizations and
health professionals) and to help organize the fight against cancer. Because of the
contribution of these organizations and members, the Coalition’s
membership represents close to 1.5 million people.
Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS), Association des radiooncologues du Québec (AROQ), Association du cancer de l'Est du Québec (ACEQ), Association des laryngectomisés de
Montréal Inc, Care-Ring-Voice Network, Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN), Colorectal Cancer Association of
Canada (CCAC), Association québécoise des registraires en oncologie (AQRO), Association des retraitées et retraités de
l’éducation et des autres services publics du Québec (AREQ), Centre d'action bénévole de Bellechasse - Lévis - Lotbinière
(Espoir Cancer), Chaire Environnement-Cancer Guzzo de l'Université de Montréal, Chaire de recherche et de traitement du
cancer de l’UQAM, Conseil pour la protection des malades (CPM), Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer (QCROC), Fédération des comités des usagers et de résidents du Québec (FCURQ), Fédération des travailleurs et
travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Fondation Rêvez la vie, Foundation of Stars, Hope and Cope, HPV Awareness Corporation,
Institut de l'anémie - Recherche et éducation (IARE), La Maison Aube-Lumière, Le Regroupement québécois des maladies
orphelines; Lymphoma Canada, Lymphedema Association of Quebec, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Mains
de l’espoir de Charlevoix, Myeloma Canada, Nova Montréal, Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radiooncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec (OTIMROEPMQ), Ordre professionnel des technologistes médicaux
du Québec (OPTMQ), Organisation québécoise pour les personnes atteintes de cancer (OQPAC), Organisme gaspésien
pour les personnes atteintes de cancer (OGPAC), Ovaire espoir, Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC), Palliative Home-care
Society of Greater Montreal, ProCure-The Force Against Prostate Cancer, Professionnals Networking for Caregivers,
Quebec Lung Association (QLA), Regroupement provincial des comités des usagers (RPCU), Regroupement des Aidants
Naturels du Comté de l'Assomption (RANCA), Réseau des femmes en environnement, Réseau FADOQ, Save Your Skin
Foundation, The Alliance of the Cultural Communities for Equality in Health and Social Services (ACCÉSSS), The Chronic
Myelogenous Leukemia Society of Canada; The Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada; Thyroid Cancer Canada
-30Source : Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec
Information : Sylvie Piché
Communications Consultant
514-868-2009 ext 225
[email protected]
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