Question 1:
In a poll conducted by Innovative Research Group in August of 2016, healthcare is the number three issue (behind housing and the economy, and just in front of education) on the minds of BC voters.
If elected:
A) How will your government improve the delivery of cancer care and other healthcare services in BC?
B) Will your government restructure healthcare delivery, and if so, how?
C) How will your government ensure that cancer patients receive the services they need, including home care, financial assistance during recovery and for long-term side effects of cancer and/or treatment?
D) What will your government do to better the wait time for people who require an operation?
Question 2:
A key element of providing timely treatment for cancer patients is ensuring that they have access to the medications they need at the time they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in British Columbia.
As of January 31, 2015 British Columbia drug plans covered 19.6% of the 464 new drugs approved by Health Canada from 2004-2013 and the average number days to list the new drug covered under each public drug plan was 787 (Coverage for new medicines in Canada’s public drug plans, 2015, Mark Rovere and Dr. Brett J. Skinner).
A) If elected, will your government commit to increasing the number of new cancer and other drugs approved for public reimbursement so that all British Columbians have timely access to the drugs they need, and if so, how will this be accomplished?
B) If elected to government will you undertake negotiations leading to regional collaboration to ensure timely patient access to cancer drugs?
Question 3:
A study published from the University of British Columbia says that one in 12 Canadians (aged 55 and older) were the second most likely among comparable countries to stop filling their prescriptions in 2014 because of cost.
A) If elected to government, what will your party do to make prescription medications more affordable?
B) Why is there such a difference between BC and other provinces?
We thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
Kati Oliver
Program and Projects Manager | Gestionnaire, Projets et programmes
Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
Response:
Thank you for your e-mail and your cause. It is very near and dear to me as both my Uncle and my Aunt had cancer, one lived and overcame leukemia and the other was not so lucky. I know that she would be proud to see that I advocate for those diagnosed in the future.
Here are my answers to the questionnaire.
Thanks again!
Yvonne
Question 1:
In a poll conducted by Innovative Research Group in August of 2016, healthcare is the number three issue (behind housing and the economy, and just in front of education) on the minds of BC voters.
If elected:
- A)How will your government improve the delivery of cancer care and other healthcare services in BC?
By providing more affordable training to young adults who wish to enter the medical field. In order to have more doctors and specialists to meet the needs of patients diagnosed with cancer and their families. The BC Greens will also see that specialists from other countries who have become Canadian citizens have the ability to transfer their professional qualifications into the Canadian system, for again, all hands on deck is what it will take to serve the people. We will also put funding into preventative health care programs in the Public School System to ensure that BC’s children are learning how to stay in optimal health and actively participate in their own well-being,
- B)Will your government restructure healthcare delivery, and if so, how?
We will restructure the healthcare delivery after a thorough investigation of how it is operating to then understand how it can be improved. We will work with healthcare professionals, clinics and systems to learn of their needs and expertise to guide the decision-making processes towards change. We, the Greens, plan to establish a ministry responsible for healthy living, wellness and preventative medicine. Develop an Essential Drugs program to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and create a ministry for mental health and addictions. Lastly, we wish to support seniors and others who need assistance to live in their own homes. Lastly, we plan to add $100 million over 4 years to hire and support more social workers to ensure that people have the support they need to live healthy lifestyles.
- C)How will your government ensure that cancer patients receive the services they need, including home care, financial assistance during recovery and for long-term side effects of cancer and/or treatment?
As mentioned above, with substantial funding being put into the healthcare program to ensure that cancer patients needs are met including financial assistance, home care and after care. I, personally, would like to see the Nurse’s hotline expanded to provide 24 hour phone care system where patients can speak to a professional at any time to seek sound medical advice.
- D)What will your government do to better the wait time for people who require an operation?
Integrated healthcare delivery, where there is a closer relationship between acute and post-acute care providers, can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare resource use. By coordinating care across settings, investing in integrated information technology systems, addressing unwarranted variations in the utilization of healthcare services, and leveraging non-physician healthcare professionals, the pressure on acute care beds can be reduced. A BC Green government will invest $40 million in new long term care facilities to increase the availability of beds in acute care facilities. The availability of hospital beds is the choke point, determining surgery waitlists, which are one of the top-of-mind issues in health care. The costs of an acute care bed can range from $800 to $2000 per day according to a 2015 report by the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA). According to the BCCPA, approximately 13% of acute care beds are occupied by someone who is waiting for a long-term care bed, which cost about $200 per day. Facilities need to be created to make space for patients!
Question 2:
A key element of providing timely treatment for cancer patients is ensuring that they have access to the medications they need at the time they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in British Columbia.
As of January 31, 2015 British Columbia drug plans covered 19.6% of the 464 new drugs approved by Health Canada from 2004-2013 and the average number days to list the new drug covered under each public drug plan was 787(Coverage for new medicines in Canada’s public drug plans, 2015, Mark Rovere and Dr. Brett J. Skinner).
- A)If elected, will your government commit to increasing the number of new cancer and other drugs approved for public reimbursement so that all British Columbians have timely access to the drugs they need, and if so, how will this be accomplished?
Yes, a BC Green government will develop a proposal to implement an essential drugs program beginning in 2019, designed to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and ensure that the cost of drugs is not a barrier to health management. The cost of prescription drugs prevents too many British Columbians from addressing treatable conditions. As conditions go untreated, it becomes much costlier to deal with the consequences down the road. Although many political parties have acknowledged this fact, it requires a solid plan and political will to act.This initiative will provide an evidence-based, integrated roadmap that will ensure British Columbians can get the essential pharmaceutical drugs they require in order to treat their health conditions.
- B)If elected to government will you undertake negotiations leading to regional collaboration to ensure timely patient access to cancer drugs?
Absolutely, regional collaboration is a top priority for our party as we believe in working together for a better future for all of our children.
Question 3:
A study published from the University of British Columbia says that one in 12 Canadians (aged 55 and older) were the second most likely among comparable countries to stop filling their prescriptions in 2014 because of cost.
- A)If elected to government, what will your party do to make prescription medications more affordable?
Yes, we want to make healthcare affordable and we want to see MSP premiums rolled into personal income tax and no longer a taxing bill. A BC Green government will establish a task force to develop a plan to transition the balance of resources between acute/chronic care and primary/preventative care. The task force will review the funding and range of services covered by the healthcare system to ensure the mix of services better meets the treatment and prevention needs of the population. The task force will deliver its recommendations to the government by May 2019. We will consult with physicians and other stakeholders to improve efficiency, reduce administration, and incentivize becoming a General Practitioner. There is agreement among political parties that we need to increase the emphasis of healthcare spending on prevention. The challenge is how to make the transition.
Access to primary care is a key part of preventing small health issues from becoming full blown crises. Whether it is preventing an unattended sprained ankle from becoming chronic arthritis or a small lump from metastasizing into a larger cancer, early intervention improves health outcomes and is far more cost-effective. Despite the importance of primary care, many British Columbians do not have a family doctor. Others can’t afford costly prescription medications or services like physiotherapists. A B.C. Green government would remove barriers to care so that British Columbians can get the services they need to stay healthy.
- B)Why is there such a difference between BC and other provinces?
Great question!!! We would like to see these differences abolished as we can learn from our fellow provinces trials and errors and make the best and most informed decisions for BC residents.