New Democrat MLAs Concerned About Patient Access to Hip Replacements
VICTORIA—New Democrat MLAs Adrian Dix, Charlie Wyse and Katrine Conroy are raising concerns about Health Minister George Abbott’s decision to make patients pay for metal-on-metal hip replacements.
Adrian Dix“When the Opposition first raised this issue last year, the Health Minister made things worse by forcing all health authorities to charge thousands of dollars for metal-on-metal hip replacements,” said Dix, the NDP’s Health Critic. “Since that change, patients across the province have come forward with their stories about how Mr. Abbott’s decision to claw back coverage of this critical joint replacement has affected them.”
Williams Lake resident Julie Ferrell is 47 years old and needs both hips replaced. Ms. Ferrell had her first surgery in May 2006 and received a metal-on-metal prosthetic, the cost of which was covered by the Interior Health Authority. But in January 2007, Interior Health started charging for the alternative prosthesis. To get the hip that matches the one she had implanted last year will now cost her $4000.
Charlie WyseGeoff Robertson lives in Rossland and needs a hip resurfacing procedure. His doctor wrote a letter of support to Interior Health outlining the medical necessity of a metal-on-metal device. But the Ministry stated that they couldn’t cover the more expensive procedure, leaving Mr. Robertson to pay the cost of $7,560.
“In both cases, these patients needed metal-on-metal hip replacements. In both cases, their doctor provided evidence that the procedure was medically necessary. And in both cases, the surgery was covered last year by the Interior Health Authority,” said Charlie Wyse, MLA for Cariboo-South. “The Minister changed the rules, forcing patients like Julie and Geoff to pay thousands of dollars for the care they need.”
Katrine Conroy“With this decision, Mr. Abbott is taking B.C. in the wrong direction,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for West Kootenay-Boundary. “Provinces like Alberta are now covering metal-on-metal hip replacements under the provincial medical insurance plan. These types of joint replacements last longer and reduce recovery time in hospital. Sadly, the Campbell government is moving in the wrong direction.”
“These cases are a symbol of the wrong-headed approach the Health Minister has taken on this issue,” said Dix. “Instead of helping patients, Minister Abbott’s response was to limit access to this critical procedure. And that’s wrong.”
