The purpose of this research project is to advance our understanding of the ethical values that do and should determine priorities when business values intersect with healthcare values in our healthcare system. There are few subjects of more importance because of the impact of healthcare on the quality of life or individuals and communities. In Canada, publicly funded universal healthcare, what we call medicare, is widely regarded as a one of our most important collective achievements.

In Canada, healthcare is publicly funded. However, even in publicly funded systems, business and the private sector play an important role. The pharmaceutical industry is an example. In our system, the medical practices of doctors operate in many cases as small businesses. The result is that although medicare in Canada is publicly funded, about 30% of healthcare is in the private sector. Furthermore, because of growing costs, the role of privately delivered healthcare is being widely debated and evaluated.

What is at issue in debates over privately funded healthcare is the compatibility of business values with their focus on profitability with healthcare values that make the wellbeing of patients and clients the highest priority.

Project funding provided by: