A Tax by any other name

Greetings, Colleagues in Retirement,

Please find, below, an article which appeared on p. 2 of the COSCO News, of the September, 2010 edition (I have bolded some parts). This publication is put out by the Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of B.C. (C0SC0).

This article is important for two reasons, I believe:

* its effect on seniors in B.C.
* a call to action should one find oneself, or one's loved one, in this situation.


I hope that you will take the time to read it, think about its implications and decide what you want to do about it.

Wishing you very good health and enjoyment of our leisurely years!
Valerie Dyer
Valerie Dyer,
President, PQRTA 2010-11
--------------------------
A tax by any other name

In May, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERMENT instructed its Regional Health Authorities to commence charging a new fee to individuals who are recovering in hospital and not yet well enough to go home.

Fraser, Interior and Northern Health Authroities were the first to roll out the new user fees.

Patients in Vancouver, admitted to the UBC Transitional Care Unit, will also begin receiving a bill for the $29.40 daily rate for "convalescent care."

The government has attempted to soften the blow for some by saying that those unable to pay may apply for hardshop waiver. It's an indignity that seniors should not have to experience.

The government is pursuing a course of action that is contrary to the Canada Health Act and returns health card back to a time prior to Medicare.

"These are health services that are needed by people still in the hospital, and they have alwasy been fully covered by MSP, our public health insurance plan in British Columbia which is funded by our tax dollars," says Melanie Leckovic, vice-predsident of the BC Nurses' Union.

"Therefore any attempt to charge our patients' fees for these medically-necessary services is completely unacceptable."

COSCO would certainly echo those remarks.

The BC Health Coaltition would be interested in hearing from any individual who has been charged the "convalescent fee", if they cannot afford to pay. They may be reached at 604-681-7945 or campaigner@bchealthcoalition.ca

What is needed is improvement in home support and home care, so that patients could reover in their own homes.

It costs less and saves lives.

(end of article)