Copyright campbellrivermirror
By Bill McQuarrie For many living on the North Island, the financial challenges of travelling for medical care down Island can be overwhelming. It is a time when, according to a written report presented to Port Hardy Council by Hope Air, North Islanders shouldn’t have to worry about travel costs for medical appointments or treatments. Or worse yet, be forced to cancel a needed procedure due to the expense of getting there. Hope Air’s CEO, Mark Rubinstein, believes everyone, regardless of cost or location, should have access to the best health care. And for the past 39 years, his organization has provided financial assistance for medical travel to low-income residents in 230 B.C. communities, offering free flights and accommodations. “Over 60 per cent of all Hope Air patients are vulnerable people with a median household income of just $33,000 per year,” Rubenstein said. According to Rubinstein, this year, Hope Air projects they will support over 4,000 patients and 2,000 medical escorts from across Canada. This support will represent over 9,000 airline flights, 10,000 hotel nights and thousands of meals and Uber airport ground transportation to hospitals and clinics. His report went on to explain that this medical travel program supports patients of all ages and all health conditions. These conditions can range from children facing developmental challenges, to seniors requiring cardiac or respiratory care, or families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Hope Air believes its services offer less visible community economic benefits too. Benefits such as reduced emergency room visits and hospital stays due to timely diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a 15 per cent decrease in local emergency room and hospital visits. In British Columbia, Hope Air collaborates with Pacific Coastal Airlines, Harbour Air, West Jet, and Air Canada for air travel, while Uber facilitates airport-to-hospital and medical office travel. Provincial coordination in B.C. is handled by the Provincial Health Service Authority. Hope Air helps low income individuals and families with needed medical travel and is income qualified. People can visit their website https://hopeair.ca for more detailed information or apply for travel assistance.
