In 2008 the current Liberal government made a pledge to ensure that publicly funded and privately owned medical laboratories in BC were accessible to licensed naturopathic doctors. Unfortunately, that pledge has not been acted on.
Please Ask the BC Government To Keep Their Promise
With an election on the horizon, and a recent cabinet shuffle, we are asking patients of naturopathic doctors across BC to write to the health minister and/or their MLA.
Write Your Local MLA or the Health Minister
Mailing Address:
Hon Dr Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Health
Room 346, Parliament Buildings
Victoria BC V8V 1X4
Sample Letter:
Dear Minister,
I value the health care I receive from my naturopathic doctor (ND). I am investing in my own health and expect my ND to be able to practice to the full extent of their education, training and expertise. Unfortunately, arbitrary barriers in this province prevent my ND from having access to diagnostic tests. My taxes fund BC labs but my competent primary care provider cannot access them. This is not in my interest nor in the public interest—and it costs your government money.
In the 2008 Throne Speech, your government promised to remove barriers to NDs accessing labs but after several years this problem still has not been resolved. As we near the next election, your government has an opportunity to keep its promise, improve health care for all British Columbians and save health dollars.
Please advise me that you will keep your promise and that your government will act upon this Throne Speech commitment.
How You Can Help
Find Your MLA: you can find your local MLA at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia website www.leg.bc.ca/mla/. The site lists MLA mailing addresses and email addresses. There is also a contact form at www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-4.aspthat you can use to send them a message. Handwritten letters have the most impact (but an email is fine too!).
Thank You!
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