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This article reports on the discussion paper, It's About Access! Informing the Debate on Public and Private Health Care, which was released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Attendees at the CMA Annual Meeting will be asked to use the discussion paper to address the split between the private and public health care. The possible scenarios for the changes in the Canadian health care system are highlighted. The paper was co-authored by Dr. Robert Hollinshead.

Focuses on the question of whether active euthanasia should sometimes be allowed. The difference between passive and active euthanasia; The acceptance of passive euthanasia by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA); The cases against Dr. Claudio Alberto de la Rocha and Dr. Nancy Morrison, both of Canada, and their participation in acts of euthanasia; Mention of the papers `Active and passive euthanasia,' by James Rachels and `Killing and letting die,' by Philippa Foot.

The article stresses the importance of social determinants, such as income, on health outcomes and the role of physicians in addressing them. Topics discussed include the policy papers of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) on the role of physicians in addressing the social determinants and health equity and a series of public town meetings across Canada on what makes people sick hosted by the CMA.

The article presents the author's views on the importance of information technology (IT) in medical care in Canada, highlighting the efforts of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) to ensure physicians are well-equipped in the transition from paper-based systems to digital systems. She states that CMA aims to support members in their adoption of IT that will help them deliver care effectively and efficiently. She comments that IT is crucial due to its potential to improve patient care.

Reports that data from the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) 2002 Physician Resource Questionnaire indicate that only a small percentage of Canadian physicians use electronic media to store active patient records. Percentage which use a combination of paper and electronic media; Number of physicians who claim that improving how patient information is shared is an important or very important potential benefit of electronic health records.