No bailouts to rescue B.C. health care

At least onehealth authority in British Columbia has already made cuts as the province says there will be no health-care bailout this year.

In past years, the province has provided more money for health authorities, but Health Minister Kevin Falcon told CBC News the government does not have the money this year.

"We're not going to be adding new money, particularly in the middle of one of the most difficult economies we've seen for generations. I'm proud of the fact that over 90 per cent of all new spending in the next three years in government is going to health. Twenty per cent is a big increase given the economy we're facing. They will have to manage within that increase," said Falcon.

Norman Embree, chair of the Interior Health Authority, said there will be a longer wait time for elective surgeries as his agency tries to make up a shortfall of at least $30 million.

"These are not life-threatening situations. There is no alternative. I mean there is no other way around it. That's what it is going to lead to," said Embree.

Interior Health workers have also been asked to accept four-day work weeks, a hiring freeze and slashed travel costs.

B.C. NDP health critic Adrian Dix said he had warned the government that health authorities were in a deficit position, but the ruling Liberals denied it.

"Last year the government knew there was a budget crunch. And because their political health was on the line the election year they added $120 million to the health authorities in July. This year when it's only the health of British Columbians on the line, they're not going to do that," said Dix.

He said there are health authorities that are ina worse position than Interior Health.