Which aspect of health care does the Canada Health Act ensure coverage for?

The Canada Health Act is a legislative framework that sets out the principles and criteria for the publicly funded health care system in Canada. It specifically ensures access to medically necessary hospital and physician services for all residents of Canada. This means that essential health services provided by hospitals and qualified physicians must be covered without direct charges to patients at the point of service.

Coverage under the Canada Health Act emphasizes that these services be provided on a prepaid basis, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing necessary care. It reinforces the idea of universality in health care, meaning that all residents should receive these essential services regardless of their financial situation.

While the act does not specifically mention coverage for elective procedures, long-term care facilities, or prescription medications as universal and federally mandated, it does focus primarily on hospital and physician services, highlighting the importance of these core components in promoting public health across the country.