MEDICARE THE CHOICE AND THE MATH: Two Tier or A Toonie? You Decide.
BC's Chiropractors lead health professions and public in government lobbying
BC's Chiropractors endorse a way to eliminate two-tier health care a proposal that promises the province's taxpayers improved access to the affordable health care services and treatment options to which they are entitled.
Below is a copy of our letter to Premier Dosanjh, Health Minister Corky Evans, and all NDP and Liberal MLAs. We want to hear from you and your patients!
December 15, 2000
HONOURABLE UJJAL DOSANJH, Delivered
Premier Office of the Premier
West Annex Parliament Buildings
Victoria, British Columbia
Dear Mr. Premier,
The British Columbia Chiropractic Association (BCCA) is committed to the development of innovative, universally-beneficial initiatives that
support and complement the government's commitment to not only protect -but to improve- British Columbia's health care;
offer all British Columbians improved access to effective, affordable, accessible health care.
The government's new 'Health Action Plan' (the Plan) is a welcome and positive gesture. However, it overlooks deficiencies in the system itself by preserving two-tier health care for over 1.25 million British Columbians and sustaining the economic barriers to existing health care resources for those most in need. BC's chiropractors endorse a solution proposed by the JHP in 1997, promising all British Columbians access to effective, affordable health care and improved treatment choices at reduced cost:
Return supplemental health services to mainstream health care by eliminating the user fee tax;
Offset the user fee tax with a nominal increase -$1.90 to $2.00 per month- in Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums.
Statistics suggest that this proposal would enjoy wide public support. An independent survey conducted in April, 1997, by Viewpoints Research, reported that 89 per cent of British Columbians endorse this proposal. Seventy per cent of those asked were agreeable to a $1.50 to $2.00 premium increase that would fund improved access to the supplemental health professions upon whom the public and the health care system increasingly rely.
As well, the patients served represent a significant source of support. In a three-year period, at least fifty percent of the voting public, between 25 - 60 years of age, attend the health professions funded by the supplemental health budget for necessary medical conditions.
The proposed change can be readily implemented. Originally endorsed by Order in Council in July, 1987, the $5.00 user fee tax was subsequently increased to $7.50 in April, 1994, and again increased to $10.00 in April, 1997. Similarly, the user fee tax can be reversed through Order in Council at any time - simply, easily, and quickly. BC's chiropractors affirm that the health care reform proposed is viable, and benefits everyone.
The proposal:
represents a valuable, viable complement to the Health Action Plan;
supports the government's commitment to embrace change and innovation in considering the alternatives presented by their health profession partners;
contemplates the intent of the five pillars of health care: it is accessible, universal, affordable, comprehensive, and publicly administered; and
honours the rights of all British Columbians to effective health care and improved choices in treatment options - where they need it, when they need it.
The executive and members of the BC Chiropractic Association are dedicated to working with the Ministry of Health and the provincial government to ensure comprehensive health care for all British Columbians.
We urge you to consider this proposal promising the province's taxpayers improved access to the affordable health care services and treatment options to which they are entitled. We seek from you an agreement to implement the recommended changes, no later than January 17, 2001. I will call you early next week to set up a meeting to discuss our proposal. Meanwhile, if you wish to contact us, our number is 604-270-1332. Thank you.
Yours truly,
BC CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION
Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director on behalf of BC's Chiropractors.
Attachments (2) See below
CONSIDER THE FACTS
The supplemental health budget funds the public's Medicare coverage from the following health professions: BC Chiropractic Association; Physiotherapy Association of BC; Massage Therapists' Association of BC; BC Association of Podiatrists; BC Naturopathic Association. The proposal for change to the structure of MSP premiums was first introduced to the NDP MLA Caucus and Liberal MLA Caucus at separate meetings in April and June, 1997.
THE PROPOSAL
Under our current, two-tier system, every British Columbian pays monthly Medical Services Plan premiums of $36.00;
In addition, each of the 1.25 million British Columbians served annually by BC's supplemental health professions (above) pay, on average, $150 in user fee taxes;
Eliminating the user fee tax, and replacing it with a nominal $1.90 to $2.00 increase in monthly MSP premiums, would help ensure improved, accessible, affordable health care for all of British Columbia's taxpayers at reduced cost.
THE BENEFITS
The government and the public gain from the clear establishment of Medicare funding in the most affordable manner, while protecting the rights of British Columbians to choose their Medicare services;
Eliminating the user fee tax by transferring a smaller portion of it to cover the increase in MSP premiums establishes a permanent source of funding for the medical conditions treated by the supplemental health professions;
The proposed change would help reduce barriers to patient care by eliminating user fees for those most needing -but currently denied- health care and treatment;
The immediate and long-term savings achieved through enhanced prevention, early intervention, reduced Pharmacare expenditures and treatment costs could be reallocated to real Medicare crises requiring emergency and hospital resources.