Norm Macdonald MLA                                              Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

October 8, 2009

Government to raise $53.7 million in revenue on the backs
of seniors in residential care

VICTORIA – Beginning January 2010, seniors in residential care facilities will now pay $53.7 million more.  The BC Liberal government’s latest move to increase revenues comes at the expense of the most vulnerable seniors, says Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald.

Fees for room and board in residential care facilities will increase as much as 29%, which Health Minister Falcon claims is defensible.

“For the Minister, these are just numbers, they don’t mean anything,” said Macdonald.  “But for seniors, these increases will have a devastating impact.”

In a government press release touting ‘more fair and equitable’ rates for residential care, Minister Falcon claims that only high income residents will be affected by the rate change, but seniors with annual incomes of only $22,000 will see their rates increase by nearly $2000 per year.

“Seniors in residential care facilities have already endured a decrease in the level of service they receive.  In some cases, seniors do not even receive one bath a week, and now they will be forced to pay more.

“Seniors in care are among the most vulnerable in our society, and they often have no choice in where they live.  This government is taking advantage of that vulnerability with a rate increase that is simply outrageous.”