B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion

In exchange, the province has developed a plan to increase patient access to team-based family health care and mental health and addictions services.

The B.C. government has also agreed to work with the First Nations Health Authority to improve access to culturally appropriate and trauma-informed treatment and care.

The province will increase access to mental health and addictions services as the overdose crisis continues at a relentless pace, despite the declaration of a public health emergency in April 2016.

B.C. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said the agreement supports their plans to help youth in treatment and recovery services, “so more young people can get the free, confidential and timely care they need, right in their own communities.”

Adrian Dix, B.C.’s minister of health, said the agreement will allow the government to support its health care workers across the province.

“This bilateral agreement with the Government of Canada will help us in delivering the health services and access that people need, are counting on, and that we’re strengthening,” Dix said in a statement.

The one-on-one deal is part of a national health accord that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered provinces in February in response to the ongoing health-care crisis.

So far, all provinces and territories have agreed to the deal in principle, except Quebec.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2023.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion

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