BC provincial election 2009 — for voters — candidate responses « JointHealth™

Hello Quincey.

Thanks a lot for the information. I will, as I have for the past four years, work with any individual or group interested in improving the health and well-being of British Columbians. This appears to be the mission of your organization, and I thank you for helping me undertsand the issue more. Sorry that election campaigning sometimes makes everyone focus on one or two issues; I'll try to raise the issues facing people with arthritis (and their families) whenever the opportunity arises.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Simons
Powell River - Sunshine Coast
Candidate (Incumbent)

Dear Quincey,

Thank you for your letter of April 14th.

The BC Liberal government recognizes that arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in BC and can have a large impact on quality of life. We are committed to ensuring the best treatment options and care for individuals living with arthritis and ensuring that British Columbians have access to information about early warning signs, diagnosis and treatment.

It is my understanding that the BC Liberal government is currently working with stakeholders to find new ways to be responsive to the needs of British Columbians with arthritis. We are spending tens of millions of dollars each year on arthritis drugs - last year we spent $27.4 million on Humira, Enbrel and Remicade. We are also working to support physicians in providing care and sharing in the funding costs for the Arthritis Self-Management program which provides people throughout communities in BC with knowledge and skills to help them manage their arthritis.

The BC Liberal government has demonstrated our commitment to funding drugs for arthritis and we have some of the most comprehensive coverage in the country.

Sincerely,
Robin Adair

Dear Ms. Koehn:

I am pleased to respond to your letter of April 14, 2009.

If elected MLA for Comox Valley, I will work with my NDP caucus colleagues to make sure that all stakeholders are included in meaningful consultation to develop a strategy to deal with health issues. This will include a review on how our healthcare system addresses arthritis care to ensure that patients receive proper care and attention.

Fair and timely treatment of all patients in our healthcare system is a priority for the BC NDP. Rather than moving money to private healthcare providers and wasting money on insider deals, the BC NDP will re- invest in our public system.

Please see my website for more information: www.lesliemcnabb.bcndp.ca

I look forward to working with your organization as the Comox Valley MLA after May 12.

Sincerely.

Leslie McNabb
NDP candidate
Comox Valley

Joint Health
Arthritis Consumer Experts' party questionnaire - BC Provincial election 2009 [personal responses from candidate]

Thank you very much for your questionnaire. My grandmother was severly impacted by arthritis as she grew older. Her hands were most affected by the condition that made even simple tasks such as dressing and cooking difficult for her. Over the years, she tried many methods to control her pain and suffering, such as prescription medicines, herbal medicines, acupuncture and dipping her hands in hot wax! She was unable to control her pain and it was heartbreaking for our family to witness. I thank you for all of the good work you do to support people and families suffering from this painful chronic condition. Please see my response to your questions below. Mo Norton

1. Do you agree that arthritis is a serious health condition with tremendous social and economic consequences, requiring immediate attention of the next government of BC?

As I mentioned above my grandmother was affected by this disease. A close friend of mine in elementary school also had arthritis, and often required crutches and canes to get around. As I grew older I recognized how widespread this condition is and how it impacts many people of all ages. My grandmother missed many family gatherings as a result of her pain and the cost of medications and treatments certainly had a financial impact on our family. She visited doctor after doctor, but they were unable to adequately control her pain. The BC NDP will ensure that patients receive proper care by reviewing how our healthcare system treats patients with arthritis.

2. Do you agree that a program of treatment and care of inflammatory arthritis should be a priority for BC?

Every patient in our healthcare system deserves to be treated in a fair and timely fashion. This is a priority for the BC NDP. Having to priortize some patients over others due to lack of funding is unacceptable. We will immediately provide increased funding for healthcare and expand medical schools across BC to ensure timely and effective care. Additonal residency for foreign-trained specialists will also help to address the medical staffing shortfalls.

3. Do you believe that the BC Government is currently living up to its responsibilities to British Columbians with arthritis?

When my youngest sister suddenly had a serious need for a rheumatiologist in the Okanagan waiting for the specialist was agony for her and for our family. I have worked in healthcare for many years. Cuts to healthcare staff have increased these wait times. This Liberal government has surgically removed adequate funding in our public system, leaving patients painfully waiting with serious gaps in their treatment plan. Instead of channelling money into the private healthcare providers the BC NDP will strengthen and re-invest in our public system. This will cut down on wait times to give patients the care they need.

4. If your party forms government, will you work with the BC arthritis community, including family physicians, rheumatologists and patient stakeholders, to create a comprehensive model of care for arthritis in BC?

A multi-disciplinary care plan that covers all treatment levels is necessary to properly treat the complex issues that persons with arthritis face every day. We believe that continuous meaningful consultation with all stakeholders is the most effective way to develop and deal with health issues. Support at home and within the community must be an important part of this care plan, to maintain independence and allow patients to remain living in their own homes. Supports such as Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Homemaker Services are crucial to manage pain control and maintain mobility. The NDP will increase the number of people receiving home support, and the number of hours of care per week. The number of community clinics will be expanded to ensure increased access for chronic disease management.

5. Moving forward, do you agree that all people with inflammatory arthritis in BC should be able to fill the prescriptions their doctors write for them regardless of ability to pay?

I have stood behind people in a Pharmacy line-up and heard them ask the Pharmacist what medications they can leave behind, because they are unable to pay for everything that their doctor has prescribed for them. My own son requires a medication that was just suddenly dropped from the Pharmacare coverage list! In British Columbia our healthcare and prescription drug costs have increased steadily since 2002. We are now paying for services such as rehab, eye care and drugs that were previously covered. Not only did the Liberal government do nothing to remedy this situation, they increased the cost of MSP Premiums! The NDP Platform addresses drug costs by stating that we will also work with other provinces and territories and cooperate with the federal government in establishing a Canada-wide prescription drug program, phasing in drug coverage for all citizens, beginning with catastrophic drug costs. The national program would reduce the cost of prescription drugs for average Canadians and save billions of dollars from provincial health care budgets by implementing a bulk-purchasing plan.

Thank you so much for your interest in my campaign and for all of your hard work in our communities. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Mo Norton
Your NDP Candidate
North Vancouver - Seymour.

Hi Quincey,
In addition to the NDP's response to your questionnaire which is one and the same as my response, I would like to add, on a personal note, that I have several family members and friends who suffer with a range of arthritic conditions. A life-long friend in his late 50's developed rheumatoid arthritis and has been forced onto long-term disability benefits as a result. There are few doctors who have the skill and experience to treat/manage his debilitating condition which has meant longer waiting times between appointments. I shudder to think how he could afford to eat well and pay the bills if he hadn't found a housing co-op to live in near transit routes.

Sincerely,
Janice Harris
NDP candidate, North Vancouver-Lonsdale

Hello Quincy,
Thankyou for taking the time to send this letter and background info on Arthritis.

The BCNDP have a plan and when it comes to Arthritis, the only way for people to practice prevention is to properly educate themselves. We need to start reinvesting in educating our youth on healthy living, in schools, at home. Fund social programs, that will be capable to educate those that require assistance with arthritis to educate future children in the household on prevention.

Thank you for taking the time to send me this letter.

Thank you,

Harry Bains
Candidate for Surrey-Newton

Dear Arthritis Consumer Experts,

Thanks for sending your letter and backgrounder on the effects of arthritis in BC. It is shocking to learn how many working-age people are affected by the various forms of this disease.

In my riding of Cowichan Valley, the large number of people with First Nations ancestry also means we have a higher incidence of arthritis-related disease in our general population.

I am pleased that the NDP platform will increase money in our health care system, particularly in the training of health professionals including rheumatologists. This re-investment in our health care system will benefit all British Columbians.

The NDP will increase the number of people receiving home support, and the number of hours of care per week. We will also expand the number of community clinics to ensure enhanced access to chronic disease management.

The cost of drugs is a real impediment to many British Columbians enjoying a better quality of life and health. We want to work with other provinces to create a national Pharmacare program that will benefit all Canadians and make life easier for those with arthritis-related diseases to access the drugs they need.

Thank-you again for contacting me as a candidate in this provincial election. I hope I have the opportunity to work on this issue as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

Yours truly,
Bill Routley
NDP candidate in Cowichan Valley

Dear Ms. Koehn,

Thank you for your open letter dated April 14, 2009. As the New Democrat candidate for Richmond-Centre, I am agreeable to making BC a better place for citizens with arthritis. Arthritis has affected my own family deeply, as my mother has had severe mobility problems due to arthritic knees. I am committed to seeing life improved for all people with arthritis through consultation with all stakeholders.

If you, or someone from your office, would like to meet with me for further discussion, please call campaign manager Victor Elkins (Richmond NDP).

Thank you,

Kam Brar
MLA Candidate
Richmond-Centre
New Democrats

Thank you for your very thoughtful email. Simply put, the answer to your question is that yes I will work to make BC a better place to live with arthritis.

We are aware of the serious nature of this condition, and the impact on those who live with it. We will review how our healthcare system addresses the needs, enhance funding and address staffing shortfalls. Our plan includes strategies for chronic disease management, like increasing community health centres. We believe very strongly that consultation with stakeholders is critical, and we will listen before making decisions.

On a personal level, I have dedicated much of my working life to championing the right of persons with disabilities to be a part of the workplace, and of the community. I have actively worked against injustice and discrimination on the basis of disability. If elected, I will continue to champion such issues in the legislature.

I hope I have answered your questions satisfactorily. If you have further concerns, I would be interested in hearing them, and commit to taking them back to my colleagues for further discussion. Thanks for taking the time to write.

Deborah Payment
Surrey Cloverdale [BC NDP]

Hi Quincey,

Thanks for the email. I'm happy to hear the party has passed along our position as well. I support our position and think that it outlines our approach and thoughts quite well, so I'll leave my comments at that and thank you once again for raising this important issue with the BC NDP.

Sincerely,

Shane Simpson
Candidate - Vancouver Hastings NDP

Dear Ms. Koehn,
Thank you for your informative letter on arthritis and the difficulties facing the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who live with this complex and often misunderstood disease. I can assure you that if the NDP is elected, we will review how our health-care system addresses arthritis to ensure that patients receive proper care and attention.
I am pleased to be able to say that my party supports fair and timely treatment for all patients in our health-care system and we will immediately provide enhanced funding for health care. As well, to address the lack of physicians, we will expand the province's medical school and provide additional residency positions for foreign-trained specialists.
Unfortunately, Liberal cuts to health care have left many gaps in treatment, and arthritis is no exception. A shortage of rheumatologists and other practitioners has resulted in some patients waiting far too long to see a specialist. The NDP is committed to investing in our public health-care system, rather than moving money to private health-care providers.
The BC NDP supports a comprehensive approach to address the issues that arthritis suffers face, with all stakeholders included. Such an approach would include home support needs and other solutions that would allow patients to remain in their own homes. The NDP will increase the number of people receiving home support and the numbers of hours of care per week, along with increases in the number of community clinics.

On a related topic, we will work with the federal government and other provinces in establishing a Canada-wide prescription drug program, phasing in drug coverage for all citizens. A national program would reduce the cost of prescription drugs for average Canadians and save billions of dollars by implementing a bulk-purchase plan.
I hope this has answered your question about my commitment to helping people with arthritis. If you wish more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,

Diane Thorne
NDP Candidate
Coquitlam-Maillardville

Hi Quincey,
Thank you for sending this my way.
I will work to make BC the best place in Canada to live with arthritis by reinvesting in our healthcare system. Under Gordon Campbell, the Liberals' cuts to healthcare have left our public system without adequate funding and with serious gaps in treatment. A shortage of rheumatologists and other healthcare practitioners means that it takes some patients far too long to see the professionals they require. Rather than moving money to private healthcare providers and wasting money on insider deals, we will re-invest in our public system. We will immediately provide enhanced funding for healthcare and expand BC's medical schools across the province to ensure patients receive timely and effective care.The high numbers and widespread nature of arthritis underscore the serious nature of this condition that affects people of all ages. This often complex condition leads to patient frustration and practitioner confusion. A comprehensive approach that incorporates all levels of treatment and patient care is necessary if we want to properly address the issues that arthritis sufferers face. It is a priority for us to ensure that British Columbians have access to the resources they need for chronic disease management, like home support, specialists, accessible community clinics and affordable prescription medications.
Jordan Parente

Jordan Parente Campaign
Vancouver-False Creek NDP
1711 Fir Street
604.736.8822

www.jordanparente.bcndp.ca

Dear Quincey Kirschner

Thank you very much for your backgrounder and question regarding services for people living with arthritis. I have passed it on to Doug Routley to read.

I know Doug will be very interested in what you have to say. He is aware of the large numbers of people who deal with the effects of arthritis and the fact that it affects people of all ages. He supports our Party position of reviewing how our healthcare system addresses arthritis care to ensure that citizens with arthritis get the care and attention they need.

Fair and timely treatment of all patients is a priorit for our Party. Funding should be available so that we don't have to necessarily prioritize some people over others. If the NDP is elected, we will immediately provide enhanced funding for healthcare and expand BC medical schools across the province. We will also provide additional residency positions for foreign-trained specialists to address the present shortfall.

Gordon Campbell's cuts to health care have left our public system without adequate funding as well as with serious gaps in treatment. A shortage of rheumatologists and other healthcare practitioners means that it takes some patients far too long to see the professionals they require.

Rather than moving more money to private, for profit health care companies and wasting money on insider deals, the BC NDP will re-invest in our public system.

We believe that all stakeholders should be included in meaningful consultation to develop the best ways to deal with specific health issues. A comprehensive approach that incorporates all levels of treatment and patient care is necessary if we want to properly address the issues that arthritis sufferers face.

Home support needs to be an important part of any care model. Individuals deserve solutions that allow them to receive care while maintaining as much independence as possible, including in their own homes. The BC NDP will increase the number of people receving home support and the number of hours of care per week. We will also expand the number of community clinics to ensure enhanced access to chronic disease management.

Since 2002, BC's families and seniors have been paying more out of pockeet for health care and prescription drugs. According to Stats Canada, the cost for private supplementary coverage for prescription drugs and the now de-listed rehab, eye care and podiatry services, increased from $256 per houshold in 1997 to more than $480 today. These are significant cost increases, especially when you compared them to the average wage increase in Canada which was about 2.3% per year.

We will work with other provinces and territories and co-operate with the federal government to establish a Canada-wide prescription drug program. Drug coverage for all citizens should be phased in, beginning with catastrophic drug costs. The national program we would like to see would reduce the cost of prescription drugs for average Canadians and save billions of dollars from provincial health care budgets by implementing a bulk-purchasing plan.

I hope this reponse covers the issues that concern you and the people you advocate for.

Best wishes

Jan

Jan Pullinger
Campaign Manager
Doug Routley Campaign
(Nanaimo-North Cowichan)

Hello Quincey,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important health issue. My children both struggle with arthritis so I know first hand the daily challenges.
My volunteer history includes advocacy work so I also appreciate the value of your work and thank you for taking the time to raise this issue with both candidates and voters.

I made the step into the political arena to help improve the quality of life for British Columbians. I entirely share your view that adequate support for prevention, treatment and care are critical to the well being of those suffering from various forms of arthritis. I also agree there is a sound financial argument to make for early treatment, self management and greater public awareness.

As I well know, arthritis knows no age boundaries. If elected, I would not hesitate to promote measures to improve the quality of life for persons with arthritis.

Thank you

Helesia Luke
NDP Candidate
Vancouver - Langara

Dear Quincey,

Thank you for this question and especially for all you do to make BC a better place.

Your question: "As a candidate seeking election, will you work to make BC the best place in Canada to live with arthritis?"

My answer: yes. I am committed to working with patient stakeholders, family physicians and rheumatologists to ensure that people living with arthritis get the best care possible in BC. All stakeholders should be included in meaningful consultation to develop how best to deal with health issues. A comprehensive approach that incorporates all levels of treatment and patient care is necessary if we want to properly address the issues that arthritis sufferers face. If elected the BC NDP will review how our healthcare system addresses arthritis care to ensure that patients receive proper care and attention.

Liberal cuts to healthcare have left our public system without adequate funding and with serious gaps in treatment. A shortage of rheumatologists and other healthcare practitioners means that it takes some patients far too long to see the professionals they require. The New Democrats will re-invest in our public system and expand the number of diagnostic technician, lab technologists, medical radiographers, and other health professionals.

In order to ensure that patients receive timely and effective care we will immediately provide enhanced funding for healthcare and expand BC's medical schools across BC. We will also provide additional residency positions for foreign-trained specialists to address the shortfall.

We will also work with other provinces and territories and cooperate with the federal government in establishing a Canada-wide prescription drug program, phasing in drug coverage for all citizens, beginning with catastrophic drug costs. The national program would reduce the cost of prescription drugs for average Canadians and save billions of dollars from provincial health care budgets by implementing a bulk purchasing plan.

Lana Popham for Saanich South

Dear Mr. Kirschner,

Thank you for contacting me with your questions.

I agree that arthritis is a serious health condition. The social and economic toll it takes on both the individual and the community do require immediate attention from the next government of BC. It affects people of all ages, and can be very confusing and frustrating. The BC NDP will review how the health care system addresses care to ensure that patients receive proper care and attention while physicians receive the information and support they need.

Health care is a priority for the BC NDP. Proper funding must be available so that we don't have to necessarily prioritize some patients over others. For the patients sake, we will immediately provide enhanced funding for healthcare and expand BC's medical schools across BC while providing additional residency positions for foreign-trained specialists to address the shortfall.

Right now, the Liberal cuts to healthcare have left our public system without adequate funding and with serious gaps in treatment. The shortage of rheumatologists and other healthcare practitioners means that it takes some patients way too long to see the professionals that they require. Instead of moving money to private healthcare providers, we will re-invest in the public health care system.

With the BC NDP, all stakeholders will be included in meaningful consultation to develop how best to deal with health issues. A comprehensive approach incorporating all levels of treatment and patient care is necessary to properly address the issues that arthritis sufferers face. Home support is an important part of any care model. Individuals deserve solutions that allow them to receive care while maintaining a degree of independence, remaining in their own homes. We will increase the number of people receiving home support and hours of care per week. We will increase the number of community clinics ensuring access to chronic disease management.

Nothing is worse than getting a prescription and not having the funds to pay for it. (So near yet so far...) All people with inflammatory arthritis should be able to fill the scripts that their physicians give them, regardless of the size of their bank balances! No one should have to choose between groceries or medication. It was wrong of the BC Liberal government to move away from universal drug coverage for seniors. We will work with other provinces and territories and cooperate with the federal government in establishing a Canada -wide prescription drug program, phasing in drug coverage for all citizens, beginning with catastrophic drug costs. The national program would reduce the cost of prescription drugs for average Canadians and save billions of dollars from provincial health car budgets by implementing a bulk-purchasing plan.

Once again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Terry Platt
NDP Candidate, West Vancouver-Capilano