The B.C. government should send a clear message to the operator of a planned members-only health clinic that he will not receive Medical Services Plan payments for services, says the Hospital Employees’ Union.
The call comes in response to media reports that the boutique-style clinic will provide patients with access to both MSP-insured and uninsured services in exchange for a membership fee of $2,300 a year. Its doors open this October in Vancouver.
“I urge the government to send a clear signal that it will not use public health care dollars to support country club medicine for those who can afford it,” says HEU secretary-business manager Judy Darcy.
“This transparent attempt to circumvent the Canada Health Act makes a mockery of the principle of universal access to health care and government should call them on it.”
Contact: Mike Old, communications director, 604-828-6771 (cell)