State of BC Health
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Your monthly update from the BC Health Coalition
UPDATE February is Black History Month: What does this mean for public health in BC?
Throughout the month of February, we have been sharing resources on our Facebook and Twitter accounts in honour of Black History Month. These resources highlight historical and current Black contributions to health care in Canada. They also highlight the disproportionate negative impact carried by the Black community whether as workers in seniors’ care, as underserved patients of the medical system, or as targets of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know racism, particularly anti-Black racism, is a public health issue. That is why we supported the BCCLA’s call to implement an immediate ban on the arbitrary, racist, and illegal practice of police street checks in Vancouver. We also know the work of an equitable and just health care system for Black people goes beyond this month. That is why we support defunding the police in order to support integrated health care and social services. Read more from... BCHC's very own Ayendri Riddell and Omar Chu.
As Black History Month comes to a close, we must recommit to creating a just health care system by taking the lead from those who bear the burden of a broken system. With that in mind, we encourage you to donate this month to BC-based Black organizations such as Hogan’s Alley Society, Black Lives Matter – Vancouver, the BC Community Alliance, or the Black Youth Hotline.
TAKE ACTION Tell Minister Dix we're still watching for public solutions to wait times
Last June, with the release of the Surgical Renewal Plan, over 4000 of you wrote a letter to Minister of Health Adrian Dix. Together we asked the government to be bold and implement already proven public solutions that build the public capacity of our surgical system, now and far into the future. Today, we are asking you to follow-up with another letter telling Minister Dix you are still waiting for investments in public, long-term solutions to reduce surgical wait times. Take Action.
OPINION BC unions representing frontline workers were not consulted for report on Covid-19 and Long-Term Care
The BC government faced public criticism last month for not having yet released a report conducted on the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 response in Long-Term care. The report conducted by Ernst & Young was released to the public in late January and soon received broad criticism for its private sector bias. Ernst & Young failed to consult with BC unions who represent frontline workers in LTC, including the BCGEU who represents 5,000 LTC employees. While pointing to a fragmented LTC sector with disparities between public and private facilities, the report also fails to address the underlying issue of privatization. Read what BCHC members from HEU, BCGEU, and CCPA told PressProgress on the subject HERE.
MEMBER PROFILE
Welcome to the new Member Spotlight section of our newsletter! Each month, we’ll highlight a story from one of our individual or organizational members. Email suggestions for spotlights to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Healthcare workers Alexandria Walenciak (HSA) & Lakhjit Saroya (HEU) show their support for the Farmers protests
KRIS LALLY & KAREN
SANDHU
Health Sciences
Association
Kris and Karen are both healthcare workers and members of the Health Sciences Association. They have been active raising awareness of the Indian Farmers Protest within their union and beyond. Why are the Indian Farmer Protests relevant to health, and why do BC residents care about this issue? BC Health Coalition co-chair and fellow HSA member Edith Machattie caught up with them to find out. Read the full interview and take action HERE.
Why is it important to you to take action on this issue?
Karen: I was hearing family talking about the protests and I wondered why more people weren't talking about what was happening. It has been recognized as the largest human protest with over 250 million protesters in Delhi. I was surprised to hear that the government rushed to pass these laws in the middle of a pandemic by a verbal vote and without talking to the workers it impacts. I was most surprised by the treatment the protestors received while trying to peacefully protest, such as police brutality or being sprayed by water canons. My parents come from a farming background - so this was something close to home for me. Kris and I started talking about what we could do to bring more awareness. We reached out to our union because we realized this is a worker issue. This is about fair wages, safe working environment. Workers supporting workers! READ MORE.
COME WORK WITH US! BCHC is hiring for two new contract positions to cover a parental leave
We are looking for a Communications Specialist to help us reach our members and engage the public with our campaign work. We are also looking for an Advocacy Coordinator to work with us in building relationships with government. Deadline for application for both roles is March 11, 2021. Job postings can be found HERE.
PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS, UPDATES, & RESOURCES
- The BCHC has applied to be an intervenor in the Cambie case at the BC Court of Appeals. As we prepare for next steps, this article on the impacts of Chaoulli ruling and a 2017 ruling to clamp down on double billing in Quebec is a timely read. The article finds that more physicians opted out from the public system after these policy changes, with impacts on the provision of public health care.
- The BC Ministry of Health commissioned a rapid synthesis report on the features and impacts of Community Health Centres. The full report from McMaster Health Forum can be found HERE. For a more story-based take on the power of CHC's in a pandemic, read this article in Ottawa Citizen.
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Action for Reform in Residential Care launched a letter-writing campaign this week to support a multi-sectorial, multi-stakeholder Task Force for Long-Term Care reform. To send a letter to your MLA that shares your support, click HERE.
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BCHC member West Coast Leaf is hosting a webinar on March 1to present their COVID-19 Gender Report Card. It explores the gendered implications of BC's pandemic measures, including impacts on healthcare. Register HERE.
- BCHC member Yarrow Intergenerational Society, a youth-led organization that supports youth and low-income immigrant seniors in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside, has released a video highlighting their work addressing social isolation and meeting seniors basic needs during COVID-19. Watch the video HERE.
- Canadian LTC operator Revera is facing allegations of tax avoidance in the U.K. A report from the Australian Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research found that the company has an elaborate system to avoid paying taxes. Read more HERE.
- A new joint campaign is calling on the federal government to take immediate action on its commitment to implement national, universal pharmacare. This includes allocating sufficient funding in the coming 2021 Federal Budget. Read more HERE and take action HERE.
- For an in-depth read this month, sit down with this essay by Nadine Caron and Danielle Martin, "The Myth of Universal Health Care", which explores the illusion that health care in Canada is comprehensive and equally accessible.
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