According to the Canada Health Act of 1984, what must provincial health programs include?

The Canada Health Act of 1984 emphasizes the importance of continuity of care and access to health services for all Canadians, regardless of their province of residence. One of the critical components outlined in the act is the principle of portability. This principle ensures that residents are entitled to access insured health services while temporarily absent from their home province, as well as when they move to a different province.

Portability allows individuals to maintain their healthcare coverage without interruption, promoting equity in the healthcare system across Canada. It means that if a person needs medical attention while in another province, their home province’s health plan will cover the costs associated with necessary medical services, thus fostering a sense of national unity in health care accessibility. Therefore, ensuring that provincial health programs incorporate this criterion is vital for adherence to the Canada Health Act and the principle of accessibility.

The other options do not align with the core requirements set forth in the Canada Health Act. For instance, extra-billing for services, while permitted under certain conditions, is not a requirement that all provincial health programs must adhere to. Additionally, while there are guidelines for the availability of services for residents of other provinces, this is not a mandated inclusion in provincial health programs. Full funding for extended services can vary by province and