Bill C-201: An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services)

This bill primarily affects healthcare providers and organizations delivering mental health, addictions, and substance use services across all provinces and territories — think counselling clinics, addiction treatment centres, community mental health agencies, psychologists, therapists, and social workers in private or community practice. These providers, ranging from solo practitioners to larger treatment facilities, would see their services potentially brought under provincial health insurance plans, which could change how they bill, who pays, and what administrative requirements they must meet. Employers across all industries could also be indirectly affected, as expanded public coverage of mental health and addictions services may influence employee benefits plans and workplace health programs. Private insurers offering supplementary health coverage that currently includes mental health and substance use services may need to adjust their product offerings.