[LabComm] James Calls on Health Minister to Investigate Billing Practices at New Private Clinic

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

James Calls on Health Minister to Investigate Billing Practices at New Private Clinic

Opposition says Soaring Waitlists, Health Care Mismanagement Driving Private Care

Victoria -- Health Minister Shirley Bond must order a full examination of billing practices at the new Copeman Health Care Centre to ensure public health care dollars are not used to subsidize for-profit medicine, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

Yesterday, Ms. Bond would only commit to "explore" the issue.

According to the clinic's owner, Don Copeman, patients will be charged $2300 dollars to access medical care at the new clinic, in addition to a $1700 joiner fee.  He said the clinic will charge the government for procedures covered by the Medical Service Plan.

James said the BC Liberals have opened the door to for-profit medicine through the mismanagement of health care that has led to soaring waitlists, overcrowded emergency rooms and dirty hospitals.   She said the BC Liberals can stop privatization in health care by enforcing provincial law and delivering on their health care campaign promises.

"British Columbians sent the BC Liberals a strong message in the election:  fix public health care," said James.  "That's why the Health Minister should investigate the billing practices of this new private clinic to ensure that public dollars go to improve public health care."

"Ms. Bond should provide the public with the results of her investigation before the new clinic opens in October."

James said what the Copeman clinic is proposing may be extra-billing.  She said the Health Minister can't sit on her hands and let the Copeman clinic open without an assurance that public money will not be used to subsidize for-profit care.

"Federal and provincial law establish clear rules banning extra-billing," said James.   "The Health Minister needs to ensure those rules are enforced."

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