BC Cancer Kelowna (image credit - Screening BC/Youtube)

By Michael Reeve

BC CANCER CARE

$20M more for cancer travel: health minister looking to correct funding inequality

May 26, 2023 | 11:33 AM

KAMLOOPS — When the B.C. government announced earlier this month that it would be paying for some cancer patients to be sent south of the border to the US for treatment, questions arose about helping those who are seeking treatment in their home province, but no closer to home.

Currently, if somebody in Kamloops requires cancer treatment in Kelowna, they have to pay for the travel expenses to get there, unlike those getting shipped down to Washington State. B.C. Health Minster Adrian Dix confirmed on Thursday (May 25) the government is looking to address that situation.

“We passed, in something called the supplementary estimates budget, $20 million more for cancer travel. Obviously, in the American case, there are some specific reasons why you want to provide some additional supports. It’s another country, you want to provide additional supports and we have to have contingencies in case other things occur,” said Dix.

Local MLA Todd Stone raised questions about the inequitable situation and was pleased to see the government taking steps to correct course.

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“Any support that is provided to offset some of those accommodation and travel costs for Kamloops residents and folks in the region to go to Kelowna for radiation treatment and other cancer services, obviously would be welcomed. It’s important that there is an equity of care provided across the province,” said Stone.

The new support for in-province travel is not yet official and that has Kamloops councillor and cancer survivor Dale Bass cautious to celebrate too early.

“That would be good if it comes through. But again, I want to see it in paper, passed, approved, in the news, reality. I just do,” said Bass. “It’s stressful anyhow to have radiation treatment and every other little thing just becomes a stressor.”

Minister Dix was unable to provide an exact date for when more details could be released on the new plan.

“But we also want to improve travel supports throughout B.C. That is why we passed $20 million in the budget to do that. We will be making those announcements and talking about what we are doing with the cancer society soon,” added Dix.