Volume 56, numéro 3, 1988 NUMÉRO SPÉCIAL SUR LE SIDA

EN :

In the following article, Mrs. Laberge, Assistant Deputy Minister, shows a keen sensitivity to the AIDS problem as a social, medical, ethical and legal dilemma. Mrs. Laberge puts forward in splendid fashion the problems involved, the urgency in solving them and the need for prevention. The author also gives us some of the measures included in the Ministry's plan of action, which basically has two main themes: respecting basic human rights and striving for an international solution, all the while adapting it to our own culture.

EN :

The point of view of the Inspector General of Financial Institutions on AIDS, an insurable risk?, is indeed interesting. The author is well versed on AIDS, how it is transmitted, and the number of carriers of the virus in the world. He looks at insurance claims, the role of insurers, legislation, the notion of discrimination, screening, etc. How are insurance companies reacting and what, in fact, are insurers doing? This, basically, is the question discussed in this article, a question which presents a major role in Mr. Bouchard's function, that is, consumer protection or protection of the clients of insurance companies.

EN :

Mrs. Caron, lawyer, presents today's opinion on AIDS, insurance and the law: the role of the Human Rights Commission and the Quebec Charter of Rights. More precisely, does Article 12 of the Charter oblige the insurer to provide insurance? Can the insurer exclude AIDS as a risk from all his policies? What problems are there in applying the Charter, where insurance policies are concerned? The author's well-phrased comments give us not only answers to these questions, but also her thoughts on approaches to basic human rights and the rights of insurance companies.

EN :

In this article, Mr. Luc Plamondon, a jurist working in the legal department of an insurance company, shares with us his thoughts on various aspects of the AIDS problem: human rights, insurance policies and the law on insurance. For example, he explores the obligation of the applicant to declare the risk, the obligation of the insurer to make insurance available to him and the right of the insurer to set an appropriate rate for the premium, to ask certain questions or to request specific tests.

EN :

AIDS is indeed a contemporary phenomenon which raises numerous questions in various fields and which involves a great many professionals. The author, Mr. Harry Grantham, responsible for the teaching of medical ethics at the Faculty of Medicine of Laval University, uses the medical and clinical data presently available and writes on insurance, at the ethical level, and offers concrete proposals. He concludes his article by expressing the hope that the economy and the financial world will remain sensitive to social needs and be open to new solutions.

EN :

Our collaborator, Mr. Millette, focuses his article on statistics, which form the very basis of the major principles of insurance: the sharing and the evaluation of risks. He looks at the question of screening and medical questionnaires and at the high rates charged by insurers in the hope that a better understanding of mortality and morbidity statistics specifically related to AIDS will help to eventually solve this problem.

EN :

First, Mr. Claude Lemieux puts forward the factors which are liable to affect the mortality rate and the role of the underwriters, using scientific data and a great deal of good judgement. Second, he looks at the AIDS problem and at its implications as an insurance risk. For example, he examines the problem of more stringent selection standards.

EN :

Our readers are already well acquainted with Mr. Jacques Ross, who conducted a study on AIDS and insurance which we published earlier. ln this issue, Mr. Ross looks at the AIDS problem from an insurer's point of view and covers three themes: statistics, social implications and insurance. Some of the ideas presented here are already well known, but others are new and are very well researched and documented here.