Public versus private health again becoming election issue in BC
Posted April 24, 2017 3:47 pm.
Last Updated April 24, 2017 3:49 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The future of public care is at risk. That’s what advocates for universal health are saying as they demand transparency from the BC Liberals about the possible expansion of private clinics in this province.
“They’re talking about contracting out. They would be paying for those surgeries either way, so why not put that money into investing into public hospitals instead?
The BC Health Coalition’s Adam Lynes-Ford says Health Minister Terry Lake, who’s not seeking re-election May 9th, recently confirmed the Christy Clark government has been trying to expand for-profit services by allowing customers to stay up to three days at a private facility.
“He’s eager to make those changes. Unless they clarify otherwise, that’s what they have planned for BC. The BC College of Physicians and Surgeons have said themselves we would effectively have private hospitals if we were to make that change…. We’re really concerned. If we made those changes here in BC, we would be the only province or territory in the country to allow that.”
The Coalition is currently running a campaign encouraging voters to choose candidates promising to protect universal medicare.
“We have some of the longest surgical wait times –18 per cent of public hospital operating rooms are not regularly staffed and none of them have extended hours.”
Concerns are also being raised in the wake of comments made last week by Liberal candidate Linda Reimer in favour of two-tiered health which is illegal under federal law.
For more details, go to www.votepublichealthbc.ca
