MLAs from Kootenay East and Peace River North hope a dispute that prevents B.C. residents from seeking medical care in Alberta will end.
Peace River North MLA Dan Davies said the issues caused by the health care blockade have impacted his constituents similar to those in other border ridings, such as Kootenay East.
“We have a lot of people who are trying to seek medical help from specialists or just treatment they can’t get in B.C.,” said Davies. “We’ve seen the relationship between B.C. and Alberta deteriorate to the point where it almost doesn’t exist.”
Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka expressed frustrations with seeing some areas of the province get access to medical care outside of B.C. while other areas remain ignored.
“We’re willing to set up memorandums of understanding with a private healthcare system, and they’re spending $150 million on sending people from B.C. to the US, but they won’t entertain the idea of going within Canadian jurisdictions,” said Shypitka.
This statement comes from an agreement that allowss cancer patients from B.C. to seek treatment in Washington.
Shypitka said the issue stems from the B.C. government’s billing structure.
“In Alberta, our premiums go to the Ministry of Health and into general revenue. From there, the Ministry trickles it back to Alberta Health Services, and not always 100 per cent and not always on time,” explained Shypitka.
According to Shypitka, the B.C. government must provide a solution to mend the relationship.
“There has to be a memorandum of understanding and trying to get our billing in touch, so it’s clear that premiums go right to Alberta Health Services,” said Shypitka. “It has to be a discussion with the Ministry of Health in Alberta.”
The local MLA also said the issue can be addressed locally.
“We need to build these relationships and get things moving, or if not, we need to build locally. We need to upgrade our hospitals,” said Shypitka. “I have been working with David Wilks [chair of the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District] to bring in renal and oncology – radiation treatment.”