Cardiology clinic becomes first in Sask. to opt out of public healthcare

The clinic made the decision after struggling to meet its costs under the province’s fee structure. It’s believed to be the first clinic in the province to go private since medicare was introduced. The clinic had several resignations due to its inability to pay competitive salaries and provide benefits. It also found it difficult to pay overhead expenses because it operates in a smaller city outside of Regina. The rates Sask. pays for common cardiac procedures are 20% to 45% lower than both Alta. or Man. The clinic will charge patients directly for their healthcare and says some patients have third-party health insurance which reduces or eliminates the OOP costs.