I recently referenced the 2013 MSP Premiums that will increase by $2.50 a month for an individual who is not on premium assistance.
Although most people tend to oppose paying more money to any level of government, when it comes to healthcare I believe that more and more citizens are appreciative of having important new health services such as the recently completed Interior Health heart and surgical centre.
With greater frequency I am hearing from patients who are truly thankful for having had a lifesaving procedure successfully performed that was never available in this region previously.
Reports of excellent care from medical staff and even comments favourable of the food at Penticton Regional Hospital have become far more common than what I was hearing a decade ago.
I do not pass on these comments lightly nor do I do so from a political perspective, however from my standpoint there is certainly more appreciation for our universal health care system and the immense costs that are required to provide it than what existed previously.
Thanks to increased education there is also a better understanding on how living healthier and more active lives cannot only help to reduce the pressures on our health care system but can help to increase our own enjoyment and quality of life.
One concern that does exist but is seldom referenced is MSP fraud.
It has been estimated that British Columbia loses potentially in excess of $200 million annually as a result of ineligible people illegally accessing our healthcare system with fraudulent or stolen care cards.
This is patently unfair to everyday British Columbians who diligently pay MSP premiums each and every month.
Last year it was determined that there are more B.C. care cards in circulation then there are citizens in British Columbia who are paying into the MSP program — clearly this is a situation that requires corrective action.
You may start to see advertisements or may have read media reports about B.C.’s new B.C. Service Card that will begin to appear this week.
The new B.C. Service cards will feature photo identification as well as anti-forgery measures and an expiry date.
These initiatives will help to reduce fraud and also to enhance patient safety.
B.C. residents will have the option of having a dedicated B.C. Service Card or you can have the MSP information included on your driver’s license instead.
What will not be optional is the requirement for every B.C. resident to re-enrol in the MSP program.
Starting on Feb. 15, all B.C. residents between the ages of 19 and 74 will be expected to re-enrol in the B.C. MSP program within the next five years.
For more information please visit the www.BCServicesCard.ca website.
On a different health related note, a reminder that for those of you who smoke and who have made a new year’s resolution to quit, the B.C. smoking cessation program is still available and can be reached as simply as dialling Health link BC at 8-1-1.
The 811 Health link service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Once per calendar year B.C. residents enrolled with MSP can receive coverage for a program lasting up to 12 weeks, of either a prescribed smoking cessation drug through fair PharmaCare or a complimentary supply of nicotine replacement gum or patches.
Although B.C. now has the lowest smoking rates in Canada, it is estimated there are still more than half a million smokers province wide.
Health risks of smoking can include Lung cancer, throat and oral cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema.
There is no better time than today to quit smoking in 2013.
Bill Barisoff is the MLA for Penticton.
