Whereas residents in rural areas face significant challenges in accessing timely and quality health care due to long travel distances, difficult terrain, and adverse weather conditions, further exacerbated by the lack of robust public transit options in rural areas; And whereas ensuring equitable access to health care requires strategic investments in transportation infrastructure, enhanced regional transit services, and collaboration between the provincial government, local health authorities, local governments, and community organizations to develop tailored solutions for rural communities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province of British Columbia to prioritize the improvement of health care transportation infrastructure in rural areas by: 1. Providing funding and support for a comprehensive regional transit system tailored to the unique needs of rural communities, including inter-community transit links that facilitate access to health services; and 2. Working collaboratively with local health authorities, local governments, and community organizations to develop and implement strategies that ensure equitable and reliable access to medical care for all residents.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit The Province recognizes the importance of safe and reliable travel options for British Columbians, especially for vulnerable populations who rely on transportation services to access other important services such as medical appointments. The Province supports a broad range of passenger transportation services in communities outside Metro Vancouver through BC Transit and services administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust NDIT, such as BC Bus North and the Northern Community Shuttle Program. The province also funds health-related transportation services, through our health authorities. In Northern BC, Northern Health Connections provides 11 scheduled intercity bus routes for patients travelling to non-emergency medical appointments outside of their community. On Vancouver Island, Island Health has contracted with eight services providers as of 2024 to provide transportation to non-emergency medical appointments across the region. In the Interior, Interior Health provides funding 1.5Myr to supplement service in existing BC Transit systems, to ensure patients in the region can access health services by way of public transit. The Travel Assistance Program provides a 100 discount on BC Ferries for people traveling to specialist medical appointments. The ministry has previously funded three regional economic trusts including the Northern Development Initiative Trust to conduct engagement and analysis on rural, regional and intercity passenger transportation gaps, challenges and opportunities. We are open to considering proposals on potential service delivery and funding models that fit the unique needs of communities. Ministry of Health The Ministry of Healths Travel Assistance Program TAP helps alleviate some of the transportation costs for eligible BC residents who must travel within the province for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their own community. TAP is a corporate partnership between the Ministry of Health and private transportation carriers. The program is coordinated by the Ministry of Health and the transportation partners who agree to waive or discount their regular fees. Patients must be referred by a physician or nurse practitioner for medical specialist services not available in their home community. In addition to TAP, there are a number of other supports available for medical travel in BC. The Ministry of Health provides funding to support Health Connections, a Health Authority HA based regional travel assistance program that offers subsidized transportation options to help defray costs for rural residents who must travel to obtain non-emergency, physician-referred medical care outside their home communities. Funding for Health Connections supports medical travel assistance for Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health and Vancouver Coastal Health. These health authorities have implemented Health Connections programs to meet the unique needs of selected communities in their regions. Health Connections is separate from but complimentary to TAP. Further medical travel assistance is also available through the BC Family Residence Program BCFRP, which provides assistance through an accommodation subsidy for families with a child needing care at BC Childrens Hospital and travel assistance for all eligible residents through funding provided to Hope Air: a national charity that arranges free flights for patients who cannot afford to fly to receive the medical care they require. A similar service is offered by Angel Flights which provides free air transportation to ambulatory cancer patients requiring travel to treatment at cancer clinics and hospitals in Vancouver, Victoria and other cancer centres within their approved areas of operation. Patients having to travel for cancer treatment can access supports through Hope Air and the Canadian Cancer Society.