Open AccessCanada’s System of Liability Coverage in the Event of Medical Harm: Is It Time for No-Fault Reform?
Author(s) -
Shoo K. Lee,
Brian H. Rowe,
Colleen M. Flood,
Sukhy K. Mahl
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
healthcare policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.391
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1715-6580
pISSN - 1715-6572
DOI - 10.12927/hcpol.2021.26580
Subject(s) - malpractice , harm , liability , actuarial science , medical malpractice , business , event (particle physics) , fault (geology) , law , political science , finance , physics , quantum mechanics , seismology , geology
Many Canadians believe that physicians have malpractice insurance via the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). However, the CMPA is not an insurance company; it is a defence fund for physicians and has no obligation to compensate all claimants. CMPA expenses have increased nearly tenfold in 30 years and although public budgets support the majority of CMPA fees, less than 0.3% of injured patients receive compensation. A reform of the system is vital. Several developed countries have adopted a "no-fault" system to provide more equity and transparency and to ensure that the majority of funds go directly to injured patients rather than toward the payment of legal and administrative fees.