Fraser Health is the only authority in the province still charging a $25 wheelchair fee, despite other authorities suspending it until the province completes a review.
The other health authorities across the province decided not to charge the $25 wheelchair fee, implemented in September, until the provincial government completed a review of the residential care fee policy.
"A provincial review of all chargeable benefits is currently underway," Tasleem Juma, a public affairs senior consultant for Fraser Health, told The Record. "Fraser Health, however, had already notified over 1,000 residents in our owned and operated residential care facilities that a wheelchair fee would come into effect on Sept. 1, 2013."
Juma said a significant number of residents had already agreed to pay the fee or requested a financial waiver of it.
"To avoid any further confusion, the policy remains in place at Fraser Health, while other health authorities continue to review their policies as previously indicated," she said.
Juma added that low-income residents can still appeal the fee through the rate reduction process, and Fraser Health will continue to loan out its wheelchairs.
However, one local MLA says the fee is unfair to those on a fixed income.
"I just think it's a completely unacceptable response," New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy said. "If it's a mistake, say you made a mistake. Other health authorities pushed back."
Darcy, the NDP health critic, said the fee was a directive from the provincial government, which, she said, tried to pass off responsibility for the fee at first.
"Other health authorities stood their ground and I think the Fraser Health Authority should have done the same thing," she added. "We tend to see policy being (done) on the fly, and then sometimes being reversed instead of being well thought through in the first place. This is certainly one of those."
Darcy said the extra $25 is "an awful lot" for seniors, especially those living below the poverty line.
"And a lot of them have to make choices to buy medication or buy groceries to be healthy. People make those choices all the time. Twenty-five dollars makes a difference."
However, the Ministry of Health had nothing new to say about why Fraser Health is the only authority to keep the fee going.
Ryan Jabs, Ministry of Health media relations manager, said the review is still underway. He referenced a September announcement to clarify the residential care fee policy.
The announcement stated the wheelchair fee had been inconsistently applied throughout the province.
"The ministry now is working with all health authorities on a comprehensive review of allowable fees to make sure they are being applied in a consistent and fair manner throughout the province, as many facilities apply this policy," the September announcement stated.
For more information, visit www.gov.bc.ca/health.
