Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

NDP Announces Task Force To End B.C.'s Medical Services Plan Premiums

The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2017 05:12 PM
  • NDP Announces Task Force To End B.C.'s Medical Services Plan Premiums
VICTORIA — An expert task force will advise the British Columbia government on how to eliminate medical premiums within four years.
 
Finance Minister Carole James says the panel's expertise "will ensure the path we take is fiscally responsible, fair and evidence-based" as the government seeks to eliminate "regressive" Medical Service Plan premiums.  
 
The task force will be chaired by Prof. Lindsay Tedd, an expert in applied economic research and policy analysis at the University of Victoria.
 
Paul Ramsey, a former NDP cabinet minister for health, environment and education, has also been appointed to the task force along with David Duff, a law professor from the University of British Columbia.
 
The NDP government already announced in its budget plans this fall, which will cut premiums by 50 per cent as of Jan. 1. That would save individuals up to $450 a year and families up to $900.
 
The threshold for households exempt from the premiums was also raised by $2,000, meaning couples with a net income of up to $35,000 and single parents with two children and a net income of up to $32,000 would pay nothing.
 
"People know that MSP premiums are unfair and place significant burden on British Columbian families," James said Thursday in a news release.
 
 
The New Democrats had promised ahead of the spring election to get rid of the premium in favour of a progressive tax system similar to other provinces where higher-income earners pay more than middle- or lower-income earners.
 
The move to get rid of the fee was also included in Premier John Horgan's list of priorities for James after the NDP took power in June.
 
The former Liberal government had also promised to cut premiums in half as of January, but the party said ahead of the election that it wouldn't ditch the fees within the next three years.
 
The Liberals said eliminating the fee would cost the province $1.7 billion.
 
The Greens want to roll medial premiums into payroll and personal income taxes.
 
The newly appointed task force will consult citizens, businesses and other groups on their views of replacing the premiums and look at health funding models in other provinces to determine an alternative revenue stream that is stable, efficient and simple.
 
Keeping the premiums in place or increasing provincial sales tax are not options the task force is allowed to propose.
 
It is expected to deliver a final report on its findings to the government by March 31.

MORE National ARTICLES

Lucy Sager Quits B.C. Liberal Leadership Race, Throws Support To Dianne Watts

Lucy Sager Quits B.C. Liberal Leadership Race, Throws Support To Dianne Watts
Businesswoman Lucy Sager from Terrace has dropped out of the race and says she is throwing her support behind federal Conservative member of Parliament and former Surrey mayor Dianne Watts.

Lucy Sager Quits B.C. Liberal Leadership Race, Throws Support To Dianne Watts

Elderly Woman Dies Retrieving Dead Cat From New Brunswick Roadway

Elderly Woman Dies Retrieving Dead Cat From New Brunswick Roadway
RCMP Cpl. Mario Maillet said she was hit by a car Wednesday evening on Route 134 in Aldouane.

Elderly Woman Dies Retrieving Dead Cat From New Brunswick Roadway

Amir Ravesh, Winnipeg Walk-In Clinic Doctor, Faces 8 More Sexual Assault Charges

Amir Ravesh, Winnipeg Walk-In Clinic Doctor, Faces 8 More Sexual Assault Charges
WINNIPEG — Eight more women have come forward alleging they were sexually assaulted by a doctor at a walk-in clinic and police say there may be more charges in the future.

Amir Ravesh, Winnipeg Walk-In Clinic Doctor, Faces 8 More Sexual Assault Charges

Amazon To Bring 1,000 New Tech Jobs To B.C.

VANCOUVER — Amazon says it will open a second corporate office in Vancouver, but it's not the highly sought-after second headquarters that has commanded the attention of governments across North America.

Amazon To Bring 1,000 New Tech Jobs To B.C.

Quebec Woman Sentenced To 7.5 Years For Role In Australian Cocaine Smuggling

Quebec Woman Sentenced To 7.5 Years For Role In Australian Cocaine Smuggling
A Quebec woman who pleaded guilty to importing a large amount of cocaine into Australia was sentenced Friday to seven-and-a-half years behind bars.

Quebec Woman Sentenced To 7.5 Years For Role In Australian Cocaine Smuggling

Apple's Ultra-expensive iPhone X Draws Crowds As In-store Sales Begin

Apple's Ultra-expensive iPhone X Draws Crowds As In-store Sales Begin
In Canada, the smartphone with a lush screen and facial recognition technology is being listed between $1,350 or $1,570 before carrier discounts.

Apple's Ultra-expensive iPhone X Draws Crowds As In-store Sales Begin

PrevNext