The primary function of government should be to achieve a healthy community with a good quality of life. Full stop. Here in B.C., we are failing to meet that goal. Challenges with our “universal” health care system shine bright on the list of fixable issues.

The first problem is lack of access. One in five British Columbians does not have a primary care physician. These practitioners are the foundation of our system. I could not have been an effective heart surgeon without support from good family doctors. Although the new Physician Master Agreement between Doctors of B.C. and the government is a step in the right direction, it isn’t enough. The mantra of “more, better, faster” isn’t always helpful, and money by itself doesn’t create an improved product or experience or achieve better outcomes. Without setting goals and accountability, calling this new arrangement a success is premature.

In a previous post, I shared how the BC Greens have been protecting healthcare and why privatization isn’t a solution for our ailing universal system.

So, if private healthcare isn’t the answer, what will it take to fix healthcare in BC?

BC Greens have been working on that answer for several years now. There are no easy fixes, but given the right leadership and resources, we can shift the trajectory of public healthcare in BC.

After months of advocacy, our calls to protect our universal healthcare system have led to real action.

We have been raising serious questions about two-tiered healthcare offered by private, for-profit companies like Telus Health for almost a year.

There is a lot of evidence that they have been charging British Columbians thousands of dollars for basic healthcare when those services are offered (for free) as part of our universal healthcare system.

VICTORIA B.C. – B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau has called for Health Minister Adrian Dix to release a report by the B.C. Medical Services Commission on Telus Health’s private, fee-based healthcare programs. The corporation is accused of charging patients for basic healthcare needs, allowing queue-jumping, and contributing to a two-tier healthcare system. The report has been with Minister Dix since June 30, 2022.

VICTORIA B.C. – The B.C. Green Party is calling on the B.C. NDP to radically improve support for healthcare in rural B.C., which is facing unique challenges regarding access to a beleaguered and out-dated system. B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau and MLA Adam Olsen (Saanich North and the Islands) made the comments at a press conference in Victoria, following the West Kootenays leg of the party’s provincial healthcare tour. Olsen spent four days in Creston, Nelson and the surrounding communities meeting with healthcare professionals on a variety of topics.

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Council of the Federation meets for its second day with continued discussion on healthcare and calls for more federal funding. Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:

VANCOUVER B.C. – B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau today launched a Provincial Healthcare Tour to speak to healthcare providers, advocates and patients on the collapsing public healthcare system in BC.

VICTORIA, B.C. – As British Columbians struggle to access basic services, the BC NDP government fails to provide clear solutions to address the crisis in our healthcare system.

VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. Green Caucus is calling for the BC NDP to immediately act on the family doctor crisis in British Columbia. Between 750,000 to 900,000 British Columbians are without a family doctor and the shortage is predicted to only grow. The government needs to urgently improve their outdated payment model and remove administrative barriers to keep family doctors in their communities.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Minister Darcy has announced a pause to the Mental Health Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 22). The B.C. Green Caucus believes this pause is in the best interest of the policy and has issued the following statement:

“After a month of intensive work on Bill 22 with stakeholders and the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, the B.C. Green Caucus is reassured to see a pause in the legislative process that will allow for more fulsome consultation with the people who will be disproportionately impacted by this law,” said Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party interim leader and MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.