Last of the MSP bills for British Columbians in the mail, as province eliminates premiums January 1st

Health Minister Adrian Dix, Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister
Carole James hailing the end of MSP premiums for individual British Columbians

The next days for many British Columbians will bring one bill that they will never see again after 2019 turns to 2020, with the final mailing for MSP payment demands having been put into the mail system this week by the Province of British Columbia.

When we flip the calendar on January 1st, British Columbia will enter a new era for medical care, with the elimination of premiums the culmination of a process that the province started in 2017 with staged reductions leading to the full elimination that comes within weeks.

With the elimination of the premiums, which represents a net tax cut of 800 million dollars across the province, Individuals should realize up to $900 a year in savings, while families will ave up $1,800.

In the announcement to mark the occasion both Finance Minister Carole James and Health Minister Adrian Dix noted how the decision to eliminate the MSP premiums will put money back into the hands of British Columbians, while still delivering on health care for residents.

“For decades, people in our province had to pay unfair MSP premiums instead of using that money to buy food, help pay the rent or even put their child in after-school care. With the complete elimination of MSP premiums, families have more money for themselves and to invest in B.C. businesses. This is good for British Columbians and good for B.C.’s resilient, sustainable economy.” -- Carole James, Minister of Finance

“The people of our province should be able to access British Columbia’s world-class health care system without having to worry whether or not they can pay their MSP premium,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “With this last bill, people will continue to receive the health care they deserve, while enjoying their savings as a result of the MSP premiums being eliminated.”-- Health Minister, Adrian Dix

The elimination of the MSP premiums was a shared priority for both the NDP and the Green Party and comes about as part of their Confidence and Supply Agreement.

Before fully eliminating MSP premiums, B.C. was one of the last provinces in Canada to have user premiums for health care. The provincial government’s administrative savings from eliminating MSP premiums will amount to over $50 million annually.

More on the Government's notes on the end of premiums can be found here.

While individual British Columbians have reason to celebrate the arrival of the new year when it comes to their MSP premiums, those who operate businesses or industrial works in the province may have a different view of events, with employers still required to pay the Employer Health Tax a program which has brought criticism in the past.

Some notes on the end of MSP's can be found from our political Blog D'Arcy McGee.

For more items of interest out of the Legislature see our Legislature archive page.