[van-announce] Coalitions To Stop Reassesments

[disAbilityCoalition]

STOP
THE REASSESSMENTS AND CUTS

RALLY IN VICTORIA and VANCOUVER
FRIDAY MARCH 14

VICTORIA: 11:30 AM              818 YATES ST.
VICTORIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES HEALTH BENEFITS OFFICE

VANCOUVER:   11:00 am at #650-1185W.Georgia
THE VANCOUVER REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES

We are the Coalition to Stop the Cuts to disAbility and we demand...
Stop the reassessments of DB2 clients!
Return the Disability Level 1 benefits category!
   End the 2/5-year time limit.
Immediate funding of outreach services to ensure the
   health needs of those isolated by poverty are met.

BILLS 26 AND 27 ARE AN ATTACK ON THE POOR AND MARGINALIZED
NO OLYMPICS ON THE BACKS OF CHILDREN,
PEOPLE WITH disABILITIES, SENIORS AND WOMEN


disAbilitycoalition~ Victoria~
Action Committee of People with 
disAbilities    <mailto:acpd at pacificcoast.net>acpd at pacificcoast.net
Anti-poverty of 
Victoria                <mailto:apov at acts.bc.ca>apov at acts.bc.ca 250-388-9181
Status of women Action 
Group    <mailto:swag at pacificcoast.net>swag at pacificcoast.net
Carol R <mailto:momma at vcn.bc.ca>momma at vcn.bc.ca          250-386-6264

disAbilitycoalition~ Vancouver ~
disAbilitycoalition~    604-2530613 
<mailto:disAbilitycoalition at telus.net>disAbilitycoalition at telus.net




The earnings exemption is a farce, people with disAbilities lost the 25%
earnings exemption, for those earning over $500.00 pr month, they now lose
ANY money over $300.00 (at least it rises to $400.00 April 1~2003); Single
parents lost the $200.00 earnings exemption. As well as day care assistance
and transportation assistance.
For those unable to work due to the cyclical or unpredictable symptoms of
their disAbility~show us the jobs. Unemployment among People with
disAbilities is over 70%. Employers do not hire those who cannot work
flexible schedules, 40 hours pr wk, or those who may be unable to "produce"
at a moments notice. How are we expected to compete with those who have NO
health concerns or accessibility issues?

Single parents with disAbilities also lost the $100.00 exemption on child
support. They were luckier than non-disAbled single parents; they did not
have their shelter cut by $55.00 a month.

Pharmacare may have allowed more people to pay less; people with
disAbilities lost most of their physio, chiropractic and massage therapy
treatments. They also lost the ability to appeal this cut. These medical
treatments were necessary for some to maintain basic mobility and function.

Prescription needs are determined by Pharmacare NOT by the Physician. Some
medications must be covered by special request. Some are denied, forcing
people to pay for necessary medications out of already meager disability
benefits of $786/ a month. Many persons with Hep C have been denied
treatment~even when their physicians have prescribed it!

Home care cuts mean that some are paying $5.00 for a bath at a local
hospital. And $4.50 out of their welfare to get handi-dart to take them
there and home again. If they book 3 weeks in advance.

Professor Neena Chappell doesn't buy the government's accounting and
justifications.
She says the B.C. government, through the health authorities, is making
regressive cuts to the disadvantaged because they are an easy target. "The
disadvantaged, who aren't organized and who don't have a lot of power.
Governments can cut those without receiving a lot of flak," she says. (Kim
Pemberton, Jim Beatty and Karen GramVancouver Sun March 7, 2003) ©
Copyright2003 Vancouver Sun

Essential Health care costs are now born by those least able to afford it!
Eye Exams, Hearing Aids and batteries, and foot care for diabetics and
paraplegics.

Write, phone, or email  Premier Gordon Campbell / Minister Murray Coell  or
your MLA
"Drastic times call for drastic actions. This is a warning from the
frontlines of the sick and poor in BC! Change the policy or we will be
forced to do drastic actions! We must stop the attack on the sick, poor and
First Nations!"

"We must stop it NOW"




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