August
8, 2002
Note:
On August 8, 2002, the Ministry of Human Resources website
was modified to include the following in the policy quoted
below. "All clients who have had their complete upper
and/or lower arch of teeth extracted for the relief of pain,
on recommendation of a dentist, will be eligible for complete
dentures (single or full)." Thanks to public pressure
the Minister finally did the right thing. Let this be a
lesson. With enough pressure and embarrassment, they can
back down.
August
4, 2002
Welfare
Dental
 Minister
of Human Resources Murray Coell is claiming that he was
misunderstood. After the Vancouver Sun exposed a mean spirited,
uncaring government that told a 62 year old on welfare to
use a blender since welfare would no longer pay for his
needed dentures, Coell rushed back from holidays to say
it was all just a misunderstanding.
The
following is directly from the Ministry of Human Resources
website. What is there to misunderstand? It is good
that Coell is backtracking, but he should be honest enough
to admit they made a mistake. He should also see that
the Ministry's policy and website are immediately corrected.
NEW
POLICY
-
As
of July 2002, basic dental plan coverage, including
the same range of services and annual limits, is available
for clients who are:
-
dependant
children under 19, including those receiving Child
in the Home of a Relative assistance and children
eligible for dental services under the Healthy Kids
program ($700/year maximum); or
-
persons
with a level two disability ($500/year maximum)
and their spouses ($250/year maximum); or
-
persons
with a level one disability ($250/year maximum),
provided all adult family members are classified
as level one disability clients; or
-
seniors
who were receiving income assistance when they reached
age 65 ($250/year maximum) and their spouses ($250/year
maximum).
-
Dental
services beyond annual limits will no longer be covered
unless services are needed to relieve pain.
-
Children
and persons with disabilities who require dental treatment
in hospital under general anaesthetic will be eligible
for an additional $500 to cover the cost of treatment.
-
Persons
with a level two disability will keep their dental benefits
for the entire family if they, or any family member,
leaves income assistance for employment, federal benefits
(Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan), or because
they turn 65.
-
All
other BC Employment and Assistance clients, and individuals
receiving hardship assistance, will receive dental services
for the relief of pain.
WHO
IS AFFECTED
WHEN
THE CHANGE WILL OCCUR
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