Gordon Campbell Vows to End Era of Neglect
BC Liberal Leader Promises Canada Health Act Reform
Media Advisory
May 10, 2001
Toronto - Canada's most blatant display of contempt for the Canada Health Act (CHA) is set to end should the Liberal Party under the leadership of Gordon Campbell, come to power on May 16.
For the past quarter century, British Columbia has ignored the Portability Principle of the Canada Health Act. Currently, and for more than 25 years, British Columbia has paid just $75 towards emergency out-of-country hospital coverage - directly contravening the CHA which is implicit in its mandate that "where insured emergency services are provided out of Canada, payment is made on the basis of the amount that would have been paid by the province for similar services rendered in the province, with due regard, in the case of hospital services, the size of the hospital, standards of service and other relevant factors."
The Canadian Snowbird Association sent letters to Premier Dosanjh, Mr. Campbell and Ms. Carr of the Green Party, asking what they would do, if elected, to correct this injustice.
"Mr. Campbell - and only Mr. Campbell - replied to our letters," says CSA President, Bob Jackson. "The cost of a hospital bed in British Columbia is far more than $75 per day. Based on his letter where he reaffirmed his support of the five principles of the Canada Health Act, and radio interviews of the past, the CSA is confident that Mr. Campbell will keep his word and increase the out-of-country payments to the proper and current levels. This affects all travelling Canadians."
Since its inception in 1992, the Canadian Snowbird Association has made British Columbia's non-compliance of the CHA one of its prime advocacy initiatives. "This letter is, by far, the most optimistic piece of news we've heard from BC in the last 9 years," says Mr. Jackson. "We plan to act on it."
The Canadian Snowbird Association is a 100,000 member-strong organization, preserving and protecting the rights of travelling Canadians coast to coast.
For interviews, please call:
Bob Jackson
President
813-633-2293
Heather Nicolson-Morrison
Executive Director
1-800-805-8214
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