Press Release

Lack of support at home leaves seniors unsupported, family caregivers overburdened, and costly hospital services overcrowded  Vancouver— It is now harder than ever for BC seniors to access the basic home support services they need to remain at home, despite the BC Ministry of Health’s goal to support seniors to stay independent at home for as long as possible, says a report released today by the Integrated Care Advocacy Group (ICA) and the BC Health Coalition (BCHC).…Read More

VANCOUVER (.pdf version) – Patient advocates are concerned that the BC Ministry of Health’s plans to increase contracts with for-profit clinics is not an effective solution to surgical wait times. They are urging the province to scrap contract plans and focus instead on taking advantage of unused public Operating Room time.…Read More

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (.pdf version) OTTAWA—As early as November 2015, the British Columbia Supreme Court will begin hearing a challenge to the provincial Medicare Protection Act (MPA) that, if successful, will impact all Canadians in every province and territory, says a report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).…Read More

VANCOUVER (.pdf) — The BC Health Coalition says the 2015 federal budget entrenches deep health care cuts for B.C. and fails to include much-needed reforms, such as national pharmacare, to meet the needs of Canada's aging population.…Read More

VICTORIA (.pdf version) - The BC Health Coalition says that the 2015 budget fails to plan for the looming federal health care cuts and lacks the leadership needed to care for the province's aging population. "B.C. is facing a 5 billion dollar cut to health care under the federal government's new funding formula and this budget leaves us unprepared," says BC Health Coalition co-chair Rick Turner of today's budget.…Read More

VANCOUVER -  Media are welcome to attend tomorrow's sold out conference: System Change for Seniors Care. BC's Ombudsperson Kim Carter and Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie will both speak about their roles in improving seniors' care. Afternoon sessions will address residential care, home support, poverty and other key issues. The conference is co-hosted by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the BC Health Coalition.…Read More

VANCOUVER (.pdf) - The BC Government is about to make a decision that will send a clear message to patients about whether or not they are protected by public health care law. The province is currently negotiating a settlement with Cambie Surgery Corporation owner Dr. Brian Day. The outcome of that negotiation will determine the future of Medicare in BC.…Read More

Toronto (.pdf version)  As Ontario’s new Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins sits down with provincial and territorial Health Ministers for their fall meeting this week, experts and patient advocates hope that he’ll carry a strong message. Across Canada advocates are calling on the B.C.…Read More

VICTORIA - The BC Health Coalition and Canadian Doctors for Medicare welcome the possible resolution of a charter challenge to public health care law launched by for-profit clinic owner Dr. Brian Day.…Read More

Patients, doctors, health groups join in court battle with for-profit clinic seeking US-style system Vancouver, BC - Today a group of patients, doctors and health care advocates won the right to present expert evidence defending Canadian health care in the BC Supreme Court case against clinic owner Brian Day. This court battle will determine the future of Canadian public health care.…Read More