WHEREAS regional hospital districts provide a major source of funding for capital equipment and projects for health care services in the Province of BC; AND WHEREAS the Province has established regional health authorities managed by appointed boards to determine health care capital priorities and capital budgets; AND WHEREAS all regional hospital districts are facing significant pressures to meet their own local costs as well as ever-increasing health authority capital costs, with a limited tax base: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the Province to consider the appointment of local government elected representatives from each regional hospital district to the boards of health authorities in order to enable direct decision making on capital priorities and budgets.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH The Ministry of Health is committed to an open and transparent governance structure for the health authorities to best ensure they are accountable to the public. Health authority board members are carefully chosen for their leadership skills, decision-making abilities and relevant experience. The Ministry feels that the current process for the selection of board members provides greater accountability and ensures that British Columbians are served by people who are appointed on the basis of their skills and abilities. Government recognizes the importance of ensuring its decisions about spending priorities reflect the communitys priorities and the publics needs. Thats why on September 28, 2006, the government began an unprecedented, historic conversation with British Columbians to hear their opinions on health and health care, and what their priorities are for the future. Conversation on Health received over 12,000 submissions from British Columbians through the website, email, toll-free phone line and at 74 community meetings making it one of the single largest health discussions ever held in B.C. Feedback gathered through the Conversation on Health will help set the direction the Province takes to strengthen our public health system for today and tomorrow, within the framework of the Canada Health Act.