2002/03 Annual Service Plan Report Ministry of Health Services

Appendix 2: 2002/03 Legislative Changes

Ministry of Health Services

Community Care and Assisted Living Act (Bill 73)

This Bill created a new regulatory framework for:

community care facilities and

assisted living residences.

The new legislation streamlined processes, supported an outcome-based regulatory model, and modernized the former Community Care Facility Act. It also added a new section to protect the health and safety of residents of assisted living residences.

Drinking Water Protection Amendment Act, 2002 (Bill 61)

This Bill amended the Drinking Water Protection Act to ensure that better planning and greater accountability are in place for high-quality drinking water throughout the Province. It established:

• the protection of public health as a guiding principle;
• clear lines of responsibility within government;
• the role of the Provincial Health Officer in monitoring; and
• new drinking water officers across the Province.

Food Safety Act (Bill 37)

This Bill combined and streamlined various existing requirements for licensing and inspection. It sets standards in relation to milk, meat and fish products, as well as food premises. It repeals the Meat Inspection Act and the food safety aspects of the Milk Industry Act and Fish Inspection Act. It permitted harmonization of standards and processes with other jurisdictions.

Health Authorities Amendment Act, 2002 (Bill 60)

The Bill made minor amendments to the Health Authorities Act to reflect the December 2001 amalgamation of 52 health authorities into 5 regional health authorities and one provincial health services authority. It removed obsolete references and made other minor housekeeping changes.

Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Amendment Act, 2002 (Bill 44)

This Bill introduced new provisions that prevent health care providers from acting in an emergency situation if it would be contrary to previously expressed wishes of the patient. Health care providers are authorized to treat despite a refusal of treatment by a substitute decision-maker if the substitute decision-maker has not complied with the legislation and treatment is necessary to preserve life, prevent serious harm, or alleviate severe pain. Other amendments improved the efficient operation of consent legislation.

Health Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2002 (Bill 18)

This Bill amended the Hospital Insurance Act to harmonize the eligibility requirements for hospital services with medical services. Miscellaneous amendments to the Medicare Protection Act did the following:

• Eliminated the power of the Medical Services Commission to de-enroll physicians from MSP at the age of 75;
• Improved the audit process to include the collection of interest on monies owing from inappropriate or fraudulent billings;
• Increased the efficiency of the Medical and Health Care Services Appeal Board; and
• Allowed private insurers to provide some coverage for people on premium assistance for supplementary services.

Deregulation/Miscellaneous Amendments

Deregulation Statutes Amendment Act, 2002 (Bill 8)

Deregulation Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002 (Bill 35)

As part of Government's deregulation initiative, portions of these Bills repealed the Supplement to the Health Act, the Health Research Foundation Act, and Part 3 of the Hospital Act. Minor amendments were also made to the Name Act, Wills Act, and the Vital Statistics Act.

Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002 (Bill 54)

This Bill amended the Mental Health Act by amending the composition of review panels. The Minister of Health Services appoints all review panel participants to a board whose chair will then select the three persons for each review panel, including a designated patient representative.