BRIEF ON LACK OF EQUAL ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS

KITIMAT

PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF KITIMAT, FEBRUARY 1991

OF RURAL BRITISH COLUMBIA TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES

All residents of British Columbia are concerned about receiving high quality health care services at a reasonable cost. Because of their location, residents in British Columbia's less populated areas often bear a greater financial burden to access health care services than residents in the more populated parts of the province. While some access limitations are acceptable tradeoffs for choosing the benefits of a rural lifestyle, anything less than equal access to health care at equal . it will not be acceptable. Such service limitations are clearly more than rural residents should be expected to endure.

This brief will outline concerns about access to health care services, particularly heavier cost burdens borne by rural residents, and recommend solutions.

Cost of Travel

Medical Services Plan coverage ensures there is no cost differential in actually receiving treatment regardless of where you live or receive treatment. A major concern to many rural residents is that certain treatment facilities and specialists are not available locally. People required to travel for these specialized services must do so at their own expense unless extended coverage is available through an employee benefits plan.

Qur analysis reveals that a patient travelling from Kitimat to Vancouver for treatment could incur expenses of over $1,000.00. Advance notice of treatment is often not adequate to qualify for a discount airfare. Furthermore, discount airfares often require a Saturday night stay which is not possible for example, if medical service is scheduled for mid-week. Full return fare airfare from Terrace/Kitimat Airport to Vancouver is currently $577.80. In addition to this, uncertain weather at the Kitimat/Terrace Airport, requires travel one day ahead of treatment and an overnight stay. Persons travelling for treatment would bear hotel and meal costs as well as lose two or more days wages.

These additional costs on rural residents means there is not equal

cost access to health care. To access certain highly specialized services, rural residents must bear significant additional costs.

weeee/2