[LabComm] Will your health care information end up with American corporations?

[Miotto, Anita]

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Will your health care information end up with American corporations?

 

The provincial government is currently considering bids from four
companies to take over the information and services administration of
the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and PharmaCare. According to the B.C.
Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) three of the
corporations are American based multinationals. The information was
circulated to staff in the Ministry of Health Services on Friday by
e-mail.

 

"The Liberal government seems intent on going ahead with these plans,"
said BCGEU President George Heyman. "As a result of the government's
decision, private American-based corporations will have access to the
confidential health records of all British Columbians."

 

The four companies mentioned in the e-mail are the CGI Group, EDS, IBM
Canada Ltd., and Maximus. CGI Group is the Canadian firm.

 

"We should be deeply concerned over the Americanization of our health
care, but contracting out information services to a Canadian firm isn't
a solution either," said Heyman. "The service shouldn't be contracted
out-period."

 

The BCGEU maintains that government has deliberately allowed MSP and
PharmaCare systems to deteriorate, setting up an excuse for involving
private, for profit companies in the administration of these important
health care programs. Private companies involved to date are not able to
deliver. 

 

-30-

 

Contact: Brian Gardiner, BCGEU Communications (604) 291-9611

 

opeiu 378

 

 

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