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With roughly a million British Columbians without a family doctor, and physicians complaining of an outdated compensation model -- Furstenau worries more primary careproviders may leave the public system and go private.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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.