New BC Services Card Now Available
Prince George, BC – The provincial government is out with the new BC Services Card – the combined card will eventually replace CareCards and driver’s licences.
BC Health Minister, Margaret MacDiarmid, says the new card is a highly secure form of identification. "This new card will be a secure piece of photo identification with many anti-fraud and security features including secure design, an expiry date and enhanced features which will help to protect citizens’ personal information." (sample card at right courtesy BC Gov Photos)
Critics say the government has a poor track record when it comes to personal information security. (click here for previous story)
The BC Information and Privacy Commissioner is decrying the lack of public consultation and is urging caution with ‘phase two’ of the cards which has the potential to link an individual’s information across multiple platforms.
The Health Ministry says most adults will need to re-enrol in the Medical Services Plan over the next five years and the easiest way to do so is when they renew their driver’s licence. There is no extra fee attached to the MSP-portion, the standard driver’s licence renewal applies. If you choose not to combine your CareCard with your licence, there is no fee to get a BC Services Card.
Comments
Yeah, those BC Liberals really know what’s good for us whether we want it or not. Myself I don’t need the police or anyone else who punches in my drivers license number in get to see my medical history.
I myself don’t want the combined crap of my D.L. and Medical card. End of this conversation!Drop the whole thing and save a lot of money the government doesn’t have.
This will save tax payers money from all the medical fraud going on out there. Think about it, when has anyone ever asked to see picture ID when going to the walk-in clinic? You don’t have to tie it to your drivers license if you don’t want to. Picture ID for a medical card is a good idea.
And out come the tinfoil hats.
Another thing for the site’s resident ‘experts’ to whine and moan about.
I heard recently there were 9.9 million Care Cards in circulation and 4.4 million BC residents. If you don’t think fraud is going on, you’re in serious denial.
One less card to carry in my wallet AND cutting down on Care Card medical fraud! How on earth could this be a bad idea. Some people are just a little bit paranoid. If you are that paranoid, why are you on the internet?? Someone could be watching youuuuuuuu!
Why not add passports to the license. There is an enhanced license that allows easier access across the border. Would be great for all the tax dodgers http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/edl
At the very least, all Care Cards should be reissued with photos. Fraud is probably costing us all millions every year.
This is taking steps to plugging a long overdue and costly hole in the system.
I can’t understand why some wouldn’t be in favour of this. Oh yeah, they have axes to grind.
It’s about time the Prov. Government issued photo ID cards…there is no way anyone should be able to walk in for BCMSP medical care without photo ID…. a system without photo ID leaves too much room for freeloaders/fraud and our system can’t afford that. Cost of issuing new cards is probably only peanuts compared to the cost of medical use fraud. Those who are complaining about a combination card (DL and Care card) …save your breath and get two separate cards. If you are really concerned about privacy and how your information is being used you might want to get off internet.
“I heard recently there were 9.9 million Care Cards in circulation”
And this was from a reliable source …. right? LOL
Hey matty, better start a petition to get rid of this as well. Just think of the long lonely days you can spend writing your angry little posts…and then go to grand prairie next time you need to see a doctor or in your case someone to help stop the voices in your head.
It was actually on a news report when they were first talking of rolling these new cards out and the reasoning behind it
Here’s a link to the story, twice as many care cards as people in circulation and 260 million in fraud.
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=88ba8b6f-855b-48b9-8aa5-e9a8204e2700&sponsor=
Here’s a link to the story, twice as many care cards as people in circulation and 260 million in fraud.
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=88ba8b6f-855b-48b9-8aa5-e9a8204e2700&sponsor=
The issue is information and who will access, the track record to date is poor at best. Picture on med card yes but ad info on drivers licence not goo idea
gus: “And this was from a reliable source …. right? LOL”
I believe it was an interview with the Minster of Health. I heard it on the radio news a couple days ago. I’m surprised that yoo couldn’t find out this info as zigzag did.
From the news story above… “There are 9.1 million B.C. CareCards in circulation for a population of about 4.5 million.”
My numbers were a little off, but the point was made.
geez, one would think that Gus would use his beloved google before attempting to make fun of somebody’s points.
It would be nice if they could also add fishing license, PAL, boater card and all the other cards we have to pack around….
Jim13135,
I think the problem with all those that your propose is they are optional items. A fisheries officer would have no idea if your license was valid and up to date.
It isn’t Canadians who have the fraudulent care cards is it? I rest my case. I f I lose my drivers license what happens to my health care??
Probably the same thing that would happen if you lost a care card. Whatever that would be.
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