A proposed class-action lawsuit against the provincial health ministry and Quebec's health insurance board is expanding.
In May, lawyers filed a request for the suit over extra medical billing by doctors in two medical clinics.
In the suit, they alleged patients were being charged extra fees for some tests and medications that are supposed to be covered by the government.
But now the lawyers filing the request for this class-action lawsuit have expanded it to include a total of 113 doctors, optometrists and clinics.
One lawyer involved in the suit said there's a formal prohibition against extra billing under the law, but there's an exception for the cost of medication and some doctors and clinics are taking advantage of that.
Health Minister Gaetan Barrette has said he's planning to modify the law to allow private medical clinics to charge "accessory" fees while limiting other charges that he considers abusive and excessive.
However, the Quebec Medical Association has said the fees go against the principle of free, universal healthcare and it wants the Health Ministry to focus on reducing unneccessary exams and excessive medical treatments.
