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November 15, 2002
Speaking out works!
Health Authority backs off on seniors’ user fee, after nurses protest in the news media.
It’s a great lesson for nurses that speaking out against health care cuts can pay off.
Less than one day after BCNU demanded the government stop a user fee on seniors’ receiving rehabilitation care, the Interior Health Authority announced Nov. 14 it is suspending the fee.
In a letter to Health Services Minister Colin Hansen Nov. 13 - which was released to the news media and copied to federal Health Minster Anne McLellan - BCNU president Debra McPherson called the fee a blatant violation of the Canada Health Act.
The IHA imposed the $27.10 daily fee Nov. 1 on seniors sent to rehabilitation beds at Kelowna General Hospital’s Cottonwoods extended care facility, following surgery or when recovering from strokes or other acute illnesses. IHA chief executive officer Murray Ramsden indicated he had imposed similar fees throughout the Interior.
After justifying the fee amid a flurry of media attention, by mid-afternoon Ramsden was telling the news media the charge will be withdrawn "until he can meet with his colleagues in other health authorities as well as the provincial health ministers."
This shows what nurses can accomplish when we identify a clear injustice in the health care system and speak out about it. This example is a great success for our members, particularly Okanagan-Similkameen Regional chair Myrna Allison, and steward Velva Cocking who flagged this issue as something we needed to take up.
Our next challenge will be exposing the danger to residents that will result with the displacement of RNs and their replacement with LPNs at Cottonwoods and at other extended care facilities throughout the province.
Nurses need to be vigilant in monitoring what all the Health Authorities are doing, and help BCNU to speak out whenever patients are being harmed by cuts and new unjustified fees.
For assistance please contact your steward and your regional chair.
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