Legislation amendments will help people avoid more costs

The British Columbia government is set to amend the Health Care Costs Recovery Act to enhance the recovery of healthcare costs stemming from negligence. Since its introduction in 2009, the Act has enabled the government to reclaim expenses incurred for services provided to Medical Services Plan (MSP) beneficiaries who suffer injuries or death due to wrongdoing. Despite its successes, with approximately $6. 6 million recovered in the 2023-24 fiscal year, certain limitations hinder full cost recovery. The proposed amendments aim to rectify these issues by narrowing exemptions for workplace injuries and extending the time allowed to amend claims.

Additionally, the changes will impose stricter disclosure obligations on defendants and clarify the definition of “insurer” to include self-insured entities. The legislation also mandates that the Province be informed when a third-party defendant is added to a case, ensuring healthcare costs are automatically included in claims. By strengthening these processes, the government seeks to relieve taxpayers from bearing the costs of wrongful actions. These legislative adjustments reflect a commitment to equitable healthcare funding in British Columbia.