Chimo Achievement Centre Cuts Short-Sighted
Jan. 28, 2010, New Westminster – The B.C. Liberals’ short-sighted decision to eliminate funding for the innovative Chimo Achievement Centre in the Fraser Valley breaks their election promise to protect health care and will cost more in the long run as people are left without the support they need to remain independent, the New Democrats said today.
“For Chimo staff and clients, hearing this week that Fraser Health is refusing to reconsider its decision to cut the centre’s funding was devastating. Even though the program benefits people with serious disabilities and the regional health care system as whole, FHA is taking its cues from the Liberal government to cut these important programs,” said Dawn Black, MLA for New Westminster.
Yesterday afternoon, Chimo staff met with FHA officials. But the health authority quickly made it apparent that they were not going to reconsider the decision to stop funding the centre as part of the latest round of B.C. Liberal health care cutbacks.
“The evidence shows the program works and will save the health authority money in the long term,” said Black.
“If the government had listened to the people who work with Chimo, they’d see that helping people with debilitating conditions like MS to increase their quality of life, promote independence, and prevent deterioration helps save money on hospital visits and residential care costs.”
To date, the health authority has not released any value for money evaluation of Chimo, nor have clients or staff been contacted about participating in such a review. Ironically, the FHA is also arguing that the centre is being closed because it is unparalleled.
“Fraser Health’s drive to standardize health programs means declining quality across the Fraser Health region as agencies like Chimo are forced to close their doors,” said Black. “Chimo has a proven record in delivering cost-effective service for over 25 years. That’s something this government should be encouraging.”
“The B.C. Liberals’ push to the lowest common denominator for health programs threatens other cost-effective programs that also have not been adopted system wide. Cutting Chimo funding shows the government isn’t looking ahead and that they’re failing to encourage the innovation necessary to improve clients’ health and save taxpayers money,” added Black.