Updates

Bill C-72, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, was introduced in June 2024 to modernize healthcare services using digital and health IT, including telemedicine, virtual care and electronic health records. A key component is ensuring interoperability through pan-Canadian standards and regulations for health IT vendors, prohibiting data blocking, and specifying compliance verification and penalties. The bill also prioritizes patient privacy and health data security. Currently in its second reading, if passed, it will facilitate seamless sharing of patient information, enhancing provider collaboration and improving continuity and coordination of care. It aims to promote health equity by improving access to healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas, reducing wait times, and administrative burdens, and upholding patient data access and protection through stronger federal regulation. However, concerns remain that the bill may not address access issues in areas lacking IT infrastructure and that existing health IT vendors might withdraw from the Canadian market.