The principle of universality of the Canada Health Act requires that all residents of a province or territory be entitled, on uniform terms and conditions, to the publicly funded health services covered by provincial/territorial plans.

The Canada Health Act defines comprehensiveness, broadly, to include medically necessary services “for the purpose of maintaining health, preventing disease, or diagnosing or treating an injury, illness or disability.”

The portability criterion of the Canada Health Act requires that the provinces and territories extend medically necessary hospital and physician coverage to their residents during temporary absences (business or vacation) from the province or territory.

The principle of accessibility in the Canada Health Act stipulates that Canadians should have “reasonable access” to insured hospital and doctor services.

The principle of public administration of the Canada Health Act be maintained for publicly insured hospital and doctor services. That is, there should be a single insurer – the government – for publicly insured hospital and doctor services delivered by either public or private health care providers and institutions.