The BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services released their report to the public on November 14, 2013. The contents of the report are based on public hearings held throughout the province in September and October. (To see full report go to: http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/40thParl/session-1/fgs/reports/PDF/Rpt-FGS-40-1-1stRpt-Budget2014Consultations-2013-NOV-14.pdf)
Support Our Health Care (SOHC) was one of 243 groups and individuals that made oral presentations to the committee. SOHC’s presentation was made by Ed Staples at the public hearing held in Merritt on September 15th. The complete presentation can be found on pages 227 – 230 of the transcript at the following link:
http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/40thParl/session-1/fgs/hansard/20130925pm-Finance-n8.htm
The following excerpts are from the report (bold typeface added for editorial emphasis):
In the areas of education and health, suggestions are made to address highest-need areas, such as services in rural-remote areas, and to explore innovations that may result in cost-savings to government. Specific suggestions are made to adopt new programs and policies that would alleviate skilled labour shortages, increase post-secondary opportunities, and enhance local health services. (page iii, Executive Summary)
BC’s healthcare system, the largest area of budgetary spending, received considerable attention during the five-week consultation period. Health professionals, local governments, business representatives, and community advocates presented ideas on how to enhance healthcare delivery, expand community services, and invest in new programs and infrastructure. Results from the online survey also affirmed the importance of healthcare services to British Columbians. When asked to spend one dollar in new funding across all government programs and services, the most common response was funding for healthcare. (page 29)
Rural healthcare services
“Funding is needed from BC health authorities to support the development and implementation of rural health care models that meet the individual needs of communities in rural-remote BC. There’s no point in having a model if there’s not the funding available to implement the changes. (Ed Staples, Support Our Health Care Society, Merritt public hearing)” (page 29)
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