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B.C. stuck with medical bills worth $10M
Vancouver Sun ^
| July 3, 2006
| Pamela Fayerman,
Posted on 07/03/2006 8:05:39 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement
B.C. Health Minister George Abbott said taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $10 million in unpaid medical bills by hundreds of foreigners who have obtained hospital care in this province.
He is urging health authorities to "look at every angle" for new methods to recover monies owed by those who have skipped out on paying.
"B.C. is not a destination that is in the habit of providing free health care for the rest of the world. We have lots of demands for medical services by B.C. citizens, let alone serving the rest of the world," said Abbott.
The health minister said he recently heard about an approach being used by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and Interior Health Authority (IHA) to register the names of all debtors with Canada Border Services Agency officials so that those who have unpaid medical bills would be flagged at border entry points.
A spokeswoman for VIHA -- which is currently owed $1.7 million by non-residents -- said border agents would then ask the visitors in question to pay off their debts by credit card over the phone from the airport or other border crossings.
(Excerpt) Read more at canada.com ...
TOPICS: Canada; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: bc; britishcolumbia; canada; foreigners; healthcare; hospitalbills; hospitals; medical; socializedmedicine
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
And the problem is? I thought liberal Canadians cherished free medicine...for everyone.
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
Parkland Hospital(one hospital) here in Dallas, TX delivered over 10,500 babies last year to illegals at a cost of over 50million to taxpayers. So, this story is no big deal.
3
posted on
07/03/2006 8:09:19 AM PDT
by
devane617
(It's McCain and a Rat -- Now what?)
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
free health care I don't see why this is a problem. Socialist countries offer "free health care" all the time. Look at Cuba! If Hillary were president, we'd have unlimited health care and it wouldn't cost us a dime!
4
posted on
07/03/2006 8:10:21 AM PDT
by
ClearCase_guy
(Without a monkey, "You are nothing, absolutely zero. Absolutely nothing.")
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
"look at every angle" for new methods to recover monies owed by those who have skipped out on paying.
Dig deep you socialist of the north.
5
posted on
07/03/2006 8:10:24 AM PDT
by
bmwcyle
(Only stupid people would vote for McCain, Warner, Hagle, Snowe, Graham, or any RINO)
To: bigfootbob
Exactly. It falls into the "be careful what you wish for..." category.
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
B.C. Health Minister George Abbott - what a mean, heartless man.
7
posted on
07/03/2006 8:13:46 AM PDT
by
DennisR
(Look around - God is giving you countless observable clues of His existence!)
To: DennisR
Why does he hate children???
8
posted on
07/03/2006 8:16:29 AM PDT
by
ClearCase_guy
(Without a monkey, "You are nothing, absolutely zero. Absolutely nothing.")
To: ClearCase_guy
Whay does he hate immigrants? Is he a racist?
9
posted on
07/03/2006 8:23:32 AM PDT
by
Bob J
(RIGHTALK.com...a conservative alternative to NPR!)
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
welcome to our world, eh?
I thought it was "free"...you mean somebody has to PAY?
what the h#ll is that all aboot?
10
posted on
07/03/2006 8:50:39 AM PDT
by
Dick Vomer
(liberals suck......... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.)
To: ClearCase_guy
He's obviously a racist, homophobe, and antichildren bigot.
11
posted on
07/03/2006 9:16:53 AM PDT
by
DennisR
(Look around - God is giving you countless observable clues of His existence!)
To: bigfootbob
Canadian health care is not "free". In fact, the average Canadian who makes $60,000 pays about $18,000 a year in taxes for it.
That's the "free" health care leftist here want.
To: Bob J
It's them damn St. Lawrence wetbacks.
13
posted on
07/03/2006 9:41:22 AM PDT
by
Lonesome in Massachussets
(NYT Headline: 'Protocols of the Learned Elders of CBS: Fake But Accurate, Experts Say.')
To: Nathan Zachary
I know, but who cares about the details when it sounds soooo good to say UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE.
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
He ought to come down here and look at the numbers.
We could easily multiply his sissy figure by 1,000!
15
posted on
07/03/2006 10:52:38 AM PDT
by
Gritty
(There is a built-in jobs bias for illegals. Overhead is close to zero and medical is free-Vanderleun)
To: bigfootbob
Really, isn't health care a basic human right?
16
posted on
07/03/2006 10:54:19 AM PDT
by
Dead Dog
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
In Canada, foreigners are required to pay the full cost of medical care when in the country. It is stated as a condition of entry. And Medicare is certainly not free to those who are not Canadian citizens. That's why B.C is seeking to recover its expenses owed.
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
17
posted on
07/03/2006 10:55:46 AM PDT
by
goldstategop
(In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
B.C. stuck with medical bills worth $10M
Yay! There's another 'B.C' out there!
18
posted on
07/03/2006 10:59:46 AM PDT
by
COBOL2Java
(Freedom isn't free, but the men and women of the military will pay most of your share)
To: Lonesome in Massachussets
The term wetback is sooooooo deragatory, I prefer the term humid posteriers.
19
posted on
07/03/2006 11:08:54 AM PDT
by
hoosierboy
(I am not a gun nut, I am a firearm enthusiast)
To: Dead Dog
As long as I get my free medical marijuana.
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