Concern over B.C. ramping up virtual health care

“Several physicians have spoken to CTV News about the move, describing it as a surprise strategy outside the usual bounds of negotiation and policymaking – and one that corporatizes health-care and adds unnecessary bureaucracy while centralizing control with the Ministry of Health. They spoke on background, fearing reprisal(opens in a new tab) for questioning government policy. 

One pointed out that virtual appointments(opens in a new tab) are quicker and much more profitable than in-person care, which often involves physical exams and treatments that require more time and supplies. 

Patient and public health-care advocate Camille Currie, founder of BC Healthcare Matters, suggested that access to medical care may not improve for patients, with a middle-man profiting in a unnecessarily complicated system, if the plan goes ahead as proposed.

“This money could've been used in a very different way,” she says. “It could help bolster our community practices versus now how many millions of dollars – perhaps billions of dollars, I don't know – will be funneled into corporations, instead of the clinics that are struggling.”

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It's interesting they chose this time of year to put forward such a proposal.

  • A time of year when many businesses are overwhelmed busy doing end of year wrap up and finances.

  • A time of year when many are trying to take some much needed time to celebrate with their families.

  • A time of year when media may not be watching the inner workings of Government so closely.

  • A time of year when no questions can be asked in the legislature.

Ask yourself

  • Where will the doctors come from?

  • Will my doctor be drawn to a contract position?

  • Will this reduce the strain on our healthcare system or result in more unnecessary referrals and misdiagnosis?

  • Could this money have been used to bolster community practices and created opportunities for them to provide virtual care instead?

  • Who will own my personal information and health records?

  • Will this result in more double billings as virtual visit patients are told they need to see a doctor in person?

Yes we need more access to Primary Care but how that access is create and provided matters.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/health-care-boost-or-profit-driven-bureaucracy-b-c-offers-virtual-care-contract-1.6696237

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