Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis is relieved the B.C. government is listening to constituents, as well as Conservative Party of BC MLAs, for announcing it is not proceeding with cuts to the BC Family Residency Program.

“Last night, we learned that Health Minister Josie Osborne would be reversing her decision from Friday, June 6, which would cut back the BC Family Residency Program,” said McInnis today (June 10).

“Due to an outpouring of opposition from the public, and Conservative Party MLAs from around the province, the government was forced to back pedal on its original plan to cut support for family accommodation from 30 nights/medical appointments to 15 nights/calendar year.”

McInnis sounded the alarm on this potential cut June 9, noting the Family Residency Program, so important to rural British Columbians, is designed to assist parents with accommodation costs while they travel with their children under 18 years of age to treatment in places like Vancouver.

“This could be premature birth appointments, cancer treatments, and life-saving organ treatments undertaken at places like BC Children’s Hospital. For many rural British Columbian families, this served as a critical financial support so they could be by their child’s side.

“Before this latest cut, the program supported parents for each medical treatment up to 30 days in length. Now, it has been slashed to only 15 days for an entire calendar year.”

Such a move would be a “slap in the face” for rural British Columbians who are travelling extensive distances away from home with sick children for treatment,” McInnis added.

“I personally know families who have gone through unimaginable heartache to be with their kids in Vancouver receiving treatment. They’ve clearly expressed to me that without this, they really don’t know what they could have done. The last thing these families need is significant financial stress on top of everything else they’re going through.”

It appears his and others’ advocacy worked.

“I’m happy the ministry listened loud and clear to the public,” he said today. “This goes to show everyone that your voice matters, and that the government works for you, not the other way around.”

McInnis said he will continue to be a strong advocate for rural healthcare locally and across the province as it appears the government will be making significant funding cuts moving forward to offset the projected $14.3 billion deficit.

e-KNOW file photo

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