Dear Editor,
Re: “Mom skips on neonatal bill,” News, June 14.
Mr. Horgan, as the Premier of B.C., one I did support and helped elect, I would ask you to please look into the practise at Richmond Hospital of allowing and participating in what has been termed, “birth tourism.”
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is sueing a foreign national for more than $1 million, and counting, for non payment, dating back to 2012.
This practise needs to end as it impacts Canadian citizens’ ability to use the hospital for their maternity needs.
I am sure you are aware that BC Womens Hospital in Vancouver bars non-residents from registering to give birth. There must be a very good reason for this.
And why doesn’t it apply in all hospitals?
Please close this loophole that the money-hungry Richmond Hospital is taking advantage of.
Why is it that hospitals in VCH have the ability or descretion to do this?
Why isn’t it not across the board for all hospitals?
Why isn’t VCH given direction in this matter by the governing body in your government?
Can you tell me if you are aware of this ludicrious practise by Richmond Hospital and why it is allowed to continue?
Never mind the fact that this cash transaction at hospital entitles Canadian citizenship to newborn babies with all the benefits of our social safety net.
This is not right. This is a business transaction benefiting only Richmond Hospital and costing all other taxpayers.
David L.Merke
SALT SPRING ISLAND
