The Plight of the Snowbirds

By Jack deWit

In the May 11th edition of the Prince George Free Press there was an article asserting the dilemma the Canadian, and in particular, our B.C. Snowbirds are experiencing in health care coverage. Jim Sherb, director of the B.C. Snowbirds, claims the costs of emergency health care out of Canada can get quite expensive, and extra travel insurance can cost more the older the applicant gets.

Well let’s get one thing clear. The Canada Health Act states that every Canadian is entitled to health care coverage even if you are out of the country. However, the Act clearly says that the service fees paid to out-of-country facilities will be limited to the fees paid for similar service in the applicant’s home province.

Sherb claims that the province will only pay $75 a day, and that it is not enough. Well… if it’s enough for B.C.’s hospitals, why should B.C. have to pay more for service out of the province? Sherb also declares that B.C.’s rates are lower than the provincial average, and that this increases the premiums for additional private coverage. Not every benefit across our country is universal and B.C.’s reimbursement rate may be a little lower than the average. However, I would bet my last US dollar that B.C. also has some advantages over the other provinces.

It irks me that some Canadians that can afford to spend up to 6 months in the south but can’t afford a few hundred bucks for extra health insurance coverage. Fuels costs to reach their sunny destinations far exceed the expense of these premiums. These Snowbirds have no qualms about filling their fuel guzzling RV’s. (Or do they?) Furthermore, for those who prefer to stay in the safety and comfort of RV parks, the rents are not cheap when you consider they are paid in US currency.

Conceivably if healthcare is an issue, stay home or spend every second winter in the south. There are 3,300 members in the B.C. Snowbirds who travel frequently to the southern states and Mexico. Just think how many seniors are staying home because finances don’t allow them to travel. I would prefer we improve benefits for all residents in B.C. not specific benefits to aid the few who are fortunate enough to escape our wonderful winters.

Another issue Sherb claims is a difficulty for the Snowbirds is the fact that some prescriptions cannot be filled for a longer periods. I think most physicians will do everything in their power to accommodate travelers. Our pharmacies must comply with certain restrictions, but again, your pharmacist will help wherever possible. The Snowbirds director argues that some members must purchase the prescriptions in the USA at a higher price than at home, and they don’t get reimbursed for those higher costs. He continues with “Snowbirds are forced to obtaining refills from their family doctor over the phone”. Well what’s the problem here? Is the phone call too expensive? Again, if you can afford the trip, you can afford to do what is necessary to obtain your drugs.

Remember that it was most likely our economy that allowed these Snowbirds to purchase their RV’s to enjoy retirement; so helping our province’s economy by spending your money in B.C. isn’t such a bad idea either. If the interior is too cold, spend a winter in Vancouver or the lower end of Vancouver Island. I don’t take exception to Snowbirds leaving for better climates south of the border, but for heavens sake don’t expect the taxpayers to subsidize your comfortable winters.

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