By Shannon Daub & Janine Farrell We have been surprised, to say the least, at the lack of public discourse around health care during this election period. As a top-of-mind issue for British Columbians, you’d think it would be as central as the always large and looming economy. So what are the burning issues in [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Health care'
Beyond the economy: Where are BC’s major parties on health care and our aging population?
May 7th, 2013 · Janine Farrell · 9 Comments · Economy, Health care, Seniors
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Final election fact sheet: Enhancing social support for seniors living in BC
May 6th, 2013 · Janine Farrell · Comments Off · Health care, Seniors
We have completed the last of our series of three fact sheets on seniors issues in preparation for the upcoming election! This fact sheet highlights the importance of communities that are inclusive and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. And, while it is important for seniors to “age in place,” they must also be [...]
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BC Office: Fact sheet on affordable housing options for seniors now available.
April 18th, 2013 · Janine Farrell · Comments Off · Health care, Housing & homelessness, Poverty, inequality & welfare, Seniors
BC’s provincial government has said it is committed to ensuring seniors can remain in their homes and “age in place.” Yet, the lack of adequate and affordable housing in BC means many seniors are forced to choose between paying for accommodation or buying food and prescription drugs, accessing transportation or participating in their communities. The [...]
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BC Office: Seniors Fact Sheet Series
March 18th, 2013 · Janine Farrell · 1 Comment · Health care, Poverty, inequality & welfare, Seniors
Here at the CCPA, we are exploring how we can ensure our elders have the resources and supports needed to retain their health and dignity as they grow older. Many British Columbians wonder if our health system will be able to provide a high standard of care to the whole population as the baby boomer [...]
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BC governments extends outsourced health information management despite issues raised by Auditor General
March 11th, 2013 · Keith Reynolds · Comments Off · Health care, Privatization, P3s & public services, Provincial budget & finance
British Columbia’s government today announced it had extended its agreement with Maximus BC, a US subsidiary corporation, to manage BC’s health information for another five years. The $264 million contract will run from 2015 until 2020. The original contract began in 2005. That ten year deal cost $324 million. On a comparable basis the new five year [...]
Seniors Advocate position a mixed bag of hopeful and disappointing
February 21st, 2013 · Janine Farrell · 2 Comments · Health care, Provincial budget & finance, Seniors
A year ago (February 2012), the province’s Ombudsperson released a comprehensive report addressing the crisis in BC’s home and community care system, including 176 recommendations for a creating a more accessible and accountable system. The centrepiece of the provincial government’s response was the announcement that it would create an Office of the Seniors Advocate, following [...]
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Spot the Seniors: 2013 Budget Edition
February 21st, 2013 · Janine Farrell · 3 Comments · Health care, Provincial budget & finance
As mentioned in last week’s Speech from the Throne and Tuesday’s 2013 provincial budget, BC’s population is aging. It’s projected the seniors population in BC will double over the next 25 years – meaning more than 30% of our population will be over the age of 65 by 2036. While the budget does mention aspects [...]
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Making the case for public dental care
January 10th, 2013 · Marc Lee · 3 Comments · Health care, Privatization, P3s & public services
There is a classic episode of the Simpsons, where Mr Burns cuts the dental plan for the nuclear power plant. With Lisa needing braces, Homer becomes a union organizer and leads a strike against the plant to get back the dental plan. I thought about that episode when had to get a root canal this week. Because [...]
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Will a flu shot keep you healthy? (hint: probably not)
October 2nd, 2012 · Alan Cassels · 2 Comments · Health care
BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr Perry Kendall announced in August that BC will be adopting a policy mandating flu shots for health care workers. Or they have to wear masks. This is likely the most aggressive flu prevention policy in Canada, one which could set the trend for the rest of the country. But Dr [...]
Tags: flu policies. influenza·health·health care·population health
Getting it Wrong For Seniors in British Columbia
September 27th, 2012 · Jonathan Chapnick · Comments Off · Employment & labour, Health care, Law & legal issues, Privatization, P3s & public services
Seniors and their families need and should have access to useful information when they are making critical decisions about residential care and throughout the period of residence in facilities. – BC Ombudsperson, The Best of Care: Getting It Right for Seniors in British Columbia (Part 1) Mass replacement of staff can occur when facility operators switch [...]
Tags: contracting out·health care·labour·privatization·seniors
