Editor:
I am a working 45-year-old patient of Dr. Andrew Lukaris, Retina Specialist, in Prince George and am enrolled in the BC Provincial Retina Disease Treatment Program. I lost sight in one eye almost overnight and found out in January I have a retinal disease, wet macular degeneration. It is the leading cause of blindness (in typically people over 50).
In my right eye and have lost central vision, but I can still see on the peripheral. There is no cure; however, to slow down the degeneration and improve the peripheral, I require eye injections every four weeks. The injections do make a difference. My other eye is hanging in there for now.
I received a letter from the doctor’s office, February 22, 2024, stating the Ministry of Health through the Medical Services Plan has proposed a 32% reduction in compensation to the participating Retinal Specialists. This cut to the health care service means the program will be terminated as of March 31st, 2024.
It’s bad enough I’m trying to cope and adjust to this diagnosis but finding out the injection costs under the treatment program, which thankfully were covered by BC MSP, are now compromised. The Ministry of Health’s proposal to reduce payments to the specialists and the inability of the specialist who simply cannot do it for less are putting the most vulnerable of us in a bind. The patient load here is clearly high and I’ve seen how efficient Dr. Lukaris’s office must be run with proper staffing and equipment so he can serve as many people as possible.
It was extra disheartening to watch the budget announcement with “everyone will get the health care they need” and sitting here with this notice in my lap about the Treatment Program that I need. The very high cost will need to be paid for by the patient unless your extra insurance will cover it. I’ve reviewed my families dual extended coverage, and it does not pay for the Avastin injection that is the best drug for me right now and for which is working. I can’t imagine the insurance state the others in the crowded Dr. office are in.
If this Treatment Program is cancelled, and I have no coverage for the health care costs, I will be forced to let my eyes deteriorate into blindness. Any lapse in treatment is a massive set back that I might not recover from. I wonder if the government has considered the costs of then having to pay me under disability for the rest of my life along with all the other programs and aids I’ll need. Never mind the difficult personal and family impacts while I raise my 2 children that go along with this.
This treatment allows me to retain my independence, function, continue to work and be a contributing member of our community. Would you want another day with your vision? I ask you to please ensure this treatment program resumes and that there is no lapse in service. Can you tell me why the drastic cut to the specialists is even on the table? And lastly what do you propose I do now with my situation in this health care system?
Christina Watts
Prince George