C-201 An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (Mental, Addictions and Substance Use Health Services)
Bill Type: Private Member’s
Bill Sponsor: Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni)
First Reading: May 29, 2025
This Bill is about mental health and addictions. It would require every province to cover mental health and addictions treatment under their public health insurance plan — the same way a broken arm or a hospital stay is covered today.
WHO GAINS POWER
- Provinces gain a new obligation to cover mental health, addictions, and substance use services under their health insurance plans
- Community-based health providers gain recognition as insured service providers
WHO LOSES POWER
- Provinces lose discretion to exclude mental health and addictions services from their insured plans
- Non-compliant provinces risk losing federal health transfers
WHO GAINS MONEY
- Community mental health and addictions service providers — now eligible for provincial insurance billing
- Patients who currently pay out of pocket for these services
WHO LOSES MONEY
- Provincial governments — expanded insured services mean expanded costs
- Private insurers may see reduced demand for mental health coverage they currently sell
THE CATCH
- The bill adds mental health and addictions services to the definition of "insured health services" — but does not define which specific services qualify
- "Community settings" is included but not defined — provinces decide what that means in practice
- No new federal funding is attached — provinces absorb the cost
Source: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-201/first-reading