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In the January 2, 2007 Canadian Medical Association Journal, five researchers point to evidence that non-profit long-term care facilities provide better care for residents. The researchers draw on several Canadian studies to argue a case is building in favour of public investment in not-for-profit, rather than for-profit, long-term care.

p> The researchers found that staffing levels are higher, rates of hospital admission are lower, and patients received more hours of direct care at non-profit facilities . Non-profit facilities often care for residents with higher needs – another example of the private sector “cream skimming” the easiest patients, avoiding residents needing more complex and acute care.

The article points to the unavoidable reality that government funds are the same to for-profit and non-profit facilities, leaving some public funds siphoned away from care in the for-profit homes.

In Ontario, about 60 per cent of all publicly-funded long-term care beds are in for-profit institutions. The proportion is about 30 per cent in British Columbia.