Copeman Opening Private Clinic in Calgary

Friends of
Medicare

On Monday, September 22nd Don Copeman will try to open a private health clinic in Calgary. Copeman has been operating similar clinics in British Columbia, where they have been in clear violation of the Canada Health Act. Friends of Medicare is assembling a coalition of groups to demand the provincial and federal governments take action to ensure that this clinic will not break the law.
Copeman clinic has been operating a controversial private clinic for three years in Vancouver. Customers at this clinic pay a fee of $3,900 up front and an annual fee of $2,900 to access doctors, nurses and therapists. In addition to this income, doctors at the Copeman clinic bill the Medical Services Plan, which is BC’s public health fund.
Under the Medicare Protection Act in BC and the Canada Health Act, doctors who have “opted in” and receive payments from the public purse may not charge for any service normally paid for through public insurance. Gordon Campbell’s government has let Copeman get away with this so far, although the battle is far from over in that province.

Friends of Medicare is demanding that the provincial and federal governments conduct a full and transparent investigation of the Copeman clinic. We will press forward this message on the opening day of the clinic on September 22nd. (Interestingly, Copeman has pushed back the opening of the clinic twice now, but we will press ahead with this action even if he cancels again).

The details of this action are as follows:
Press conference: Monday, September 22 @ 10:00 am
Tivoli Room, Danish Canadian Club, 727 – 11 Avenue SW, Calgary

Parking is available at the club. At the press conference, we will have a commitment for federal candidates to sign. This is a commitment to uphold the Canada Health Act, particularly the parts about universal coverage regardless of income and accessibility to all residents regardless of income.

March to Copeman clinic: 10:40 am (approximately). The clinic site is 1.5 blocks from the Danish Canadian Club. We encourage participants to bring signs, banners, and in particular pots or pans to bang on. We will make a lot of noise to get Copeman’s (and Calgary’s and Canada’s) attention. We will stage a short demonstration at the Copeman site (5th Street & 12th Avenue) and be done by 11:30 am.


Friends of Medicare is inviting anyone who is concerned about the erosion of our Public Health system to attend. Invitations will be extended to all candidates in the Calgary area
to come sign our committment to help defend the Canada Health Act.




David Eggen, FOM Executive Director

email: fominfo@telus.net