Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What did the Established Programs Financing (EPF) Act allow jurisdictions to fund that was not previously allowed?

1. Community based services.

2. Dental services.

3. Hospital laboratory services.

4. Rehabilitation services.

The correct answer is: Community based services.

The Established Programs Financing (EPF) Act, introduced in Canada, aimed to provide financial support to provinces and territories for the delivery of health services. One of the significant impacts of this Act was to expand funding options for jurisdictions to include community-based services, which were not adequately covered under previous funding arrangements. Before the implementation of the EPF Act, funding was primarily focused on hospital services. This means that community-based care, which includes a wide range of services like home care, health promotion, and preventive care, received minimal financial support. The inclusion of community-based services under the EPF Act allowed jurisdictions to prioritize these essential services, effectively addressing the needs of patients in their own communities and promoting a more holistic approach to health care. In contrast, the other options—dental services, hospital laboratory services, and rehabilitation services—were either already part of funding streams or did not receive the same level of expanded support specifically outlined in the EPF Act. While these services are important components of health care, the Act specifically highlighted the need to enhance funding for community-based services, allowing for a more integrated and accessible health care system.