By The Canadian Press

British Columbia health minister scraps planned hike to medical premiums

Sep 15, 2016 | 11:20 AM

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — British Columbia’s health minister says planned hikes to medical premiums are now off the table.

The government announced in the February budget that rates for the Medical Services Plan would rise by four per cent next year.

But Health Minister Terry Lake says that has changed because B.C.’s strong economy has generated a robust budget and it’s time to spread the wealth.

He says the economy can change very quickly, but everyone should be able to benefit when times are good.

Rates for the MSP will stay at $75 per month for an adult earning more than $30,000 per year, and will go down for people on premium assistance.

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Finance Minister Michael de Jong is expected to make the news official when he provides a quarterly budget update on Thursday. (CHNL)

The Canadian Press