Christina and Arlen Unrau back home in Princeton – Christina Derksen-Unrau
BC Rural Health Network – September 12 2024
Bridging the Gap for Healthcare Access at the UBCM Convention
At this year’s Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention, a critical conversation on bridging the gap in healthcare access for rural patients will take place in a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Innovative Solutions for Rural Healthcare Access.“ The event, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will bring together leading voices and advocates, including Paul Adams, Executive Director of the BC Rural Health Network; Hope Air, Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer; Lynette Lucas, Director Helicopters without Borders; the UBC Centre for Rural Health Research led by Associate Professor Dr. Jude Kornelsen; Housing is Healthcare advocate, Jacqueline Podewils, and patient partner Christina Derksen-Unrau.
The discussion will highlight the growing disparities rural patients face when seeking essential, high-acuity healthcare, focusing on access to services such as solid organ transplant and other vital treatments in urban centers. Rural patients frequently confront overwhelming financial and logistical barriers, which can delay or even prevent them from receiving life-saving care.
A poignant example of these challenges is Christina Derksen-Unrau’s story. Derksen-Unrau, a lung transplant patient from rural BC, could not afford the costs associated with staying in Vancouver for her treatment, ultimately leading to the inability to receive a transplant. Her experience prompted meetings with Premier David Eby and opposition parties earlier this year to address these inequities and seek lasting solutions for rural residents facing similar healthcare access challenges. Read more about her pre-transplant story here.
Thanks to the generous donations of her community of Princeton, BC, philanthropists, and many friends, Christina has been able to receive her transplant and is now back home. You can watch her account of her journey post transplant here.
Paul Adams, who will be moderating the panel, emphasized the urgency of this issue: “Rural British Columbians are facing a healthcare crisis. Section 12(1)(a) of the Canada Health Act guarantees reasonable access to care without financial burdens, yet we continue to see rural patients suffer financial hardship or forego essential treatments because they can’t afford the costs of relocating for care. This is a failure of our system, and we need immediate action from all political parties to uphold the promises of the Act.”
As the province approaches an election, the panelists are calling for clarity from all political leaders, including Premier David Eby (NDP), Sonia Furstenau (BC Green Party), and John Rustad (Conservative Party of BC), on their positions regarding equitable healthcare access to care for BC residents.
Jude Kornelsen, Co-Director of the UBC Centre for Rural Health Research, who has been instrumental in analyzing rural healthcare access, stated: “We know that outcomes vary dramatically for patients depending on where they live. If we want to provide equitable healthcare in this province, we must address the inefficiencies in how we provide care for rural patients. Investing in dedicated, affordable housing for healthcare is not just a moral obligation—it’s a fiscally responsible one.”
Associate Professor Dr. Jude Kornelsen – UBC Centre for Rural Health Research
The panel will delve into proposed solutions, including the development of subsidized patient accommodations near urban health centers, modeled after successful initiatives like Ronald McDonald House and Canuck Place. These dedicated housing options can help alleviate the financial burdens on rural patients while improving health outcomes and reducing system strain.
Jacqueline Podewils, advocating for Housing is Healthcare, further added: “The province is currently spending significantly more by booking hotel rooms to accommodate patients than it would if we invested in purpose-built housing. The inefficiencies in the current system are costing both the province and patients far more in the long term. By creating dedicated housing, we not only save money but also provide patients with stability and dignity during their treatment.”
There are also broader cost-saving measures that could greatly benefit the province. For example, dedicated navigators to assist high-acuity patients such as those requiring transplants could streamline their journeys, ensuring timely care, reducing repeated hospitalizations, and improving recovery outcomes. By reducing the need for chronic care management and preventing system strain from unmanaged conditions, the province could save millions annually.
Paul Adams highlighted the critical connection between healthcare and housing: “Housing is healthcare. When patients receive timely, effective treatment, the entire healthcare system benefits. The current reliance on expensive, short-term solutions such as hotels for patients is unsustainable. We need long-term, integrated solutions that provide affordable housing and ensure that no one has to choose between losing their home and having their health.”
The panel will also discuss the broader mental health impacts and financial stresses rural patients experience, as many are forced to deplete savings, sell homes, or take on debt to afford care. These realities contradict the principles of the Canada Health Act, which promises access to care without financial hardship. As Dr. Jude Kornelsen notes, solutions must be patient-centered and inclusive of the diverse needs of rural populations.
The Path Forward: A Non-Partisan Call for Action As the election looms, the BC Rural Health Network and its partners are calling on all political parties to commit to solutions that guarantee equitable access to care for all British Columbians. This is a non-partisan issue that impacts families across the province, from the Lower Mainland to the most remote communities.
The Housing is Healthcare resolution, being presented to the UBCM, advocates for the province to address these long-standing disparities by creating a sustainable, patient-first approach to rural healthcare, starting with subsidized housing near key health centers. The proposed model could transform healthcare access for rural patients, saving lives and reducing costs to the healthcare system.
The panel discussion promises to be a pivotal moment in the conversation about healthcare equity in British Columbia. Attendees are encouraged to participate in what will undoubtedly be an engaging and solution-focused dialogue.
