$733M In Federal Health Funding For B.C. Seniors' Care

The BC and federal governments have announced a bilateral agreement to invest $733 million over the next five years to improve access to home and community care, and long-term care.

The funding builds on the $1.2 billion bilateral agreement that was announced with the province in October.

The cash will support British Columbia's five-year action plan to improve health care for seniors, by expanding home and community care services to better meet their needs and help reduce pressures on hospitals and emergency departments.

It will also Improve the availability of palliative and end-of-life care, improve long-term care and dementia services.

Progress on the initiatives, and broader commitments, will be measured against targets which British Columbia will report on annually.

Through the new deals, BC will also improve how health information is collected, shared, used, and reported to Canadians; streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals; allow key health professionals to move more freely within Canada; and fulfill shared responsibilities to uphold the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians' access to health care that is based on need, not the ability to pay.

In a release, the feds say all levels of government will approach health decisions in their respective jurisdictions through a lens that promotes respect and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

The Hospital Employees’ Union is getting behind the new funding.

Spokesperson Meena Brisard says it will go a considerable way to continue improving access to proper, unrushed seniors’ care, adding more seniors can depend on consistent, quality care when they need it.