B.C. Greens demanding watchdog report into Telus Health be made public
The BC Green Party is asking the province to release a health-care watchdog's report into corporate care they believe may be creating a two-tiered system in the province.
For months the party has raised the alarm over stressed out family doctors leaving the industry, and the growth of corporations offering private health services.
In February, MLA Adam Olsen highlighted questions about Telus Health's Lifeplus program in the B.C. legislature. For thousands of dollars a year -- patients can access a team of professionals like physiotherapists and dieticians. According to Telus Health, the care centres "do not charge for access to public family doctors."
At that time, a medical clinic in Olsen's riding was about to close.
"Telus Health MyCare provides a virtual walk-in clinic billed to MSP insurance. But if you want a so-called premium service, like annual screenings, preventative health and advanced diagnostics — services which used to be part of basic primary health care — you would have to pay for that out of your own pocket," Olson said during Question Period.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the Medical Services Commission would review the model.
Party Leader Sonia Furstenau wants to know where the report is, adding the findings were due at the end of June.
"The key issue is whether corporations are charging people for access to basic health care," said Furstenau.
She said whatever is found should be made public. No such commitment has been made. The Medical Services Commission and the Health Ministry did not respond to questions about this by deadline.
Furstenau went on to say, "I think it's essential that the minister reports out what is in this Medical Services Commission report. What does it say about Telus Health practices? And is it in violation of the Canada Health Act?
In an interview with CTV Monday, Dix said the issue was under review.
In an email, Telus Health said it's cooperating with the review -- and denied it is breaking any rules.
"We have no ability, and are fundamentally opposed, to fast-tracking publicly-funded health services for a fee," aspokesperson said when asked about the Lifeplus service.
Lifeplus differs from Telus Health's My Care -- which offers virtual doctors appointments through a free app.
With roughly a million British Columbians without a family doctor, and physicians complaining of an outdated compensation model -- Furstenau worries more primary careproviders may leave the public system and go private.
"We are hearing of doctors that are closing down their family practices and moving over to Telus and for people to still have access to that family doctor, they are having to pay that yearly fee," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.