To the editor:
A real issue facing British Columbians is the lack of funding for health care.
In the next twenty years healthcare funding will exceed 75 per cent of the total provincial budget. Every day hospital patients are sleeping in hallways, waiting months for MRI’s and other critical health care needs. Thousands do not have family doctors and are forced to attend overcrowded medical clinics and get treatment if they are fortunate.
Part of the solution to increase health funding is new money. Two suggestions come to mind. First, establish a 50/50 provincial lottery draw where 50 per cent is awarded to the winner and 50 per cent is awarded directly to BC medical. Second, allocate all fees and taxes collected from marijuana sales to go directly to BC medical. Both of these ideas are new revenue: No more borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. These funds would be mandated by legislation and go directly to BC healthcare and cannot be used as general revenue.
A board of directors exclusively comprised of medical professionals could be elected from healthcare professionals. These individuals would dictate where the money would be spent, such as hiring new doctors and nurses, building new hospitals, lowering prescription fees and care for seniors etc.
Brian Guillou, West Kelowna