When Morgentaler went to court seeking payment for abortions performed at his Winnipeg clinic, he won his case but didn’t get his money. On June 12, Judge Vern Simonsen agreed that it was discriminatory for Manitoba to pay for abortions done in hospitals but not in clinics; the Health Act did not give anyone authority to exclude medical services on the basis of where they were performed. So he struck down the regulation which allowed payment only for abortions done in hospitals.
It may mean that no abortions will be paid for at all. Unless the ruling is appealed either by the government or Morgentaler (and how can Morgentaler appeal a decision he has won?) abortion will no longer be covered by Manitoba’s health insurance plan.
The Manitoba League for Life is urging the government not to appeal.
