The operator of two private health clinics in Vancouver is dismissing allegations of double-billing saying he has every right to break current federal laws because he’s challenging them in court.
Speaking with CKNW’s Michael Smyth, Doctor Brian Day also denies he refused to fully cooperate with auditors from BC’s Medical Services Commission seeking access to financial records.
“What we do is allow patients who are suffering on a waitlist to access operating rooms by hiring their own operating room nurse and all the equipment in the operating rooms. That is not double-billing or extra billing because unlike at VGH or St. Paul’s, those costs are not covered by the government.”
Day adds Canada has one health bureaucrat for every 1400 citizens, but Germany has one for every 15,000.
While groups advocating for the protection of public health care applaud yesterday’s orders for two private clinics to stop extra billing patients, the organization representing most doctors in BC is speaking out in favour of law-breaker Doctor Brian Day.
Doctor Shelly Ross is the president of the BC Medical Association.
“Private clinics can be used for publicly-funded services.”
So that would be in support of his position?
“Uh, his position is that he wants to get people taken care of in a timely manner and I’m certainly in favour of that.”
Even so, Ross says the BCMA will not join in any legal action against the government.
She was speaking with CKNW’s Simi Sara.
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