the way i understand it is, any scheduled surgery is considered elective even though you need it vs emergency surgery, one that is not scheduled
Posted on 08/11/2009 3:06:26 PM PDT by Lorianne
METRO VANCOUVER - Upwards of 2,500 patients waiting for surgery for everything from blocked arteries to cancer to hernias will find their elective surgeries postponed during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In a pair of decisions just now becoming public, the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Authorities say they have decided to cut by 35 per cent the number of elective surgeries performed over a one-month period in February and March, 2010.
Most of the surgeries - 2,000 in all - were supposed to take place in the busy Fraser region that stretches from Burnaby to Hope. Another 450 or more were scheduled for the Vancouver Coastal authority, not including the Providence Health system that covers St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver.
The decisions also come as the provincial health minister, Kevin Falcon, told the province's six health regions they are expected to cut $360 million from their operating budgets next year and hold the line on costs.
The decisions also come as the provincial health minister, Kevin Falcon, told the province's six health regions they are expected to cut $360 million from their operating budgets next year and hold the line on costs.
That dictate has led the Fraser and Vancouver authorities to indicate they will cut staff, raise fees and reduce services.
The health regions say the reduction in surgeries during the Olympics isn't directly related to the event but rather because of what is expected to be a combination of a busy flu season and less demand among patients for service. It will also allow some medical staff to volunteer for the Games, according to Arden Krystal, the vice-president of acute network for Fraser Health.
Krystal said a review of other Olympic cities show that at Games-time many people want to put "low-acuity" surgeries off.
"I think we need to remember that 65 per cent of our surgical capacity continues to run and that people who truly need surgery in that time will get it," she said.
Gavin Wilson, a spokesman for Vancouver Coastal, said the health authority is doing 6,000 more elective surgeries than two years ago and the reduction of 450 during the Games won't hurt health care.
Critics say the plan is nothing more than an attempt to save money at the expense of patient health.
NDP health critic Adrian Dix told reporters the Olympics is being used as an excuse for health authorities to cut services.
Krystal estimated the Olympic-period postponements will save Fraser Health $1-2 million. The authority plans to keep the estimated 60-120 surgical beds over the region's 12 sites open for medical services.
But Rick Baker, the head of Timely Medical Alternatives, a private health service brokerage that finds patients fast treatment in the United States, expects people won't accept the delays.
Baker said many of the so-called "elective" surgeries involve urgent medically-necessary interventions. He doesn't accept the health authorities' argument that peoples' health won't be put at risk.
"It really has nothing to do with the Olympics. I think some person in the health ministry was taking a shower and said "hey, I know how we can save some money, we'll cut elective surgeries during the Olympics". They'll use any way to cut elective surgeries to save money."
Baker isn't really complaining; he expects to be busy during the Olympics as patients who can't wait for surgery turn to his company for help.
Blocked arteries and cancer surgeries are ELECTIVE?
ain’t gov-care grand?
Not only are those elective in Canada but the bobsledding event takes precedent.
gov-care, ain’t it grand?
but no lines right
Curling takes precedence over cancer, eh?
This is what you can expect from OBAMA CARE, so you had better get used to it. Some scumbag sitting in an office with no idea of what you are going through will decide what your care will be. SOYLENT GREEN.
Sorry Grandma, we are $360 million over our operating budgets and holding the line on costs.
Congress and the White House are surely popping veins over the fact that TODAY, of all days- this news hits....
God is GREAT!
What about the other 35% who truly need surgery?
Government rationing at its best.
Bump
Plus they have to cut $360million from the budget. Where does it come from? Salaries or patient care?
the way i understand it is, any scheduled surgery is considered elective even though you need it vs emergency surgery, one that is not scheduled
Why can’t they just raise taxes a LOT MORE?
Yeah? Why not? Throwing more money at a problem is always the best way to fix it. Why not raise taxes to 100% ??
Yes, 100%. At least they still get “FREE health care”.
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