Provinces may fund health care coverage by which of the following methods?

• A. Collect premiums from individuals
• B. Impose a tax or levy on employers
• C. Fund health care through general tax revenues
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Health care in Canada is funded from public revenue raised by the provinces, primarily through general tax revenues that come from individuals and businesses. In addition, some provinces use employer-related taxes or levies (payroll taxes) to provide dedicated funding for health programs. Historically, a few provinces have also used health premiums paid by residents to support the system. Although the Canada Health Act prohibits charging patients directly for insured hospital or physician services, provinces fund coverage through these public revenue sources rather than user fees. Because provinces have employed all of these approaches at different times, the best answer is that all of the above are valid funding methods.