VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government's about-face on deducting money from welfare cheques to help pay for private methadone treatment is a positive change, the province's social development minister says.
Michelle Stilwell said Thursday that her ministry will now pay for any extra costs charged by private methadone-dispensing facilities beyond what is covered by its existing alcohol and drug supplement.
The change comes less than a week after a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed aimed at both stopping the controversial practice, as well as reimbursing those whose income-assistance cheques have been docked pay.
"Starting July 27, next week, we will ensure that our clients are receiving the treatments they need at the cost that the clinics are charging," Stilwell said in an interview.
The petition filed in B.C. Supreme Court is also asking that an injunction be placed on the long-standing practice while the lawsuit works its way through the legal system.
"I think sometimes government is made aware of situations when lawsuits are brought forward," said Stilwell when asked whether the lawsuit inspired the change.
"It makes you think more critically about what you can do and how you can (offer) support."
Stilwell said the policy of providing clients with up to $500 per year to cover extra drug treatment costs has been in place since 1990. The ministry currently spends about $2.6 million annually on the supplement, which involves about 5,500 people, she added.
Any costs above the supplement had to be paid out of pocket or, in the case of those on income assistance, was drawn from the client's monthly allowance.
To access private methadone services, clients were normally required to sign a government-drafted fee agreement giving permission for any outstanding fees to be taken from their income-assistance cheques.
The payment wasn't charged at public clinics, though court documents argue that spaces are limited and private clinics are the only option for some.
Lawyer Jason Gratl, who represents the proposed representative plaintiff, said the lawsuit will continue in order to secure compensation for methadone fees taken from past social-assistance payments.
