Private clinic billing under scrutiny

The B.C. Nurses Union wants Ottawa to investigate whether two private surgery clinics in Vancouver are violating the Canada Health Act.

The BCNU is calling on the federal government to investigate billing practices at the False Creek Surgical Centre and the Cambie Surgical Centre.

"Federally there's the Canada Health Act, and it is the federal Health Minister, Anne McLellan, who's responsible for monitoring compliance with that act," says union president Debra McPherson.

The BCNU says doctors at the two private centres are not providing claim forms to patients so they can receive Medical Services Plan reimbursements.

McPherson says it is a violation of the Canada Health Act for anyone to pay out of their own pocket for a medically necessary procedure.

• LINK: B.C. Nurses Union