Camille Currie

Founder of BC Health Care Matters @BC_GP_shortage.

[Mark Roseman @markroseman]

A member of the public stepped up to buy an ECG machine to replace one that was broken for months at a site billed as an urgent care.

Because Island Health wouldn't spend $20k.

WTF?!?

Island Health's Total annual spending is $4,652M.
Corporate (head office) expenditures are $413M.
Kathy MacNeil's total compensation was $465k.
Reka Gustafson's total compensation was $436k.

https://t.co/Cqep3pfyhN

[Mark Roseman @markroseman]

Correct, OMA (and others, like AMA) are ~80% or higher member-funded.

The "funny" thing with BC is that DoBC is legally chartered as a "member-funded society" which by law can only receive a maximum of 10% (or 20k) funding from govt or other non-members.

DoBC would tell you "it's about joint funding of special programs which gives DoBC huge control over operating the health system" but it's not really true.

Those programs are driven by DoBC staff, paid for and hired by MOH, and largely answerable to them. The physicians who "run" DoBC (on the board and the representative assembly) get very little information about those programs, have limited say in their direction, and are largely stage-managed by DoBC staff. Frequently, they're blocked, intimidated, and marginalized when they attempt to gain more information or exert authority they are entitled to.

If they really wanted to do joint projects, they could do them as truly independent entities answerable to both DoBC and govt. Now you have a tiny number of docs and a whole lot of staffers running things and they are serving the govt's agenda well.

There's a longstanding pattern of docs in BC getting into these arrangements, thinking they're so smart they'll never get played. Most of the time they don't realize that the MOH folks they're up against are running circles around them when it comes to negotiation and power. It's not even close to equal.

Governance at DoBC is a huge clusterfuck. Some people lately have been pushing back a lot harder than in the past, and I give them huge credit for doing so. But it's an uphill battle with incredibly high stakes, and a battle they're not equipped to win.

In terms of policy, having DoBC onboard gives govt political cover for a lot and kills off all kinds of opposition.

And anyone who thinks having MOH-funded staff controlling DoBC, and 2/3 of the operating funding of DoBC coming from MOH has no impact on DoBC's priorities and ability to effectively advocate for physicians' interests…

Smart politics by NDP. Bad for docs. Bad for patients.

[Gabrielle Peters 👩🏻‍🦽 @mssinenomine]

I'm having another 'oh sh*t I just assumed it operated the same as elsewhere in Canada' moment.

For people in BC, the Ontario Medical Association is primarily funded by membership dues.

Doctors of BC is funded by govt.

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

Are we really going to do this battle again?

Families with sick kids shouldn't have to fight for a place to stay. @bcndp imposing ridiculous caps on a program that provides lodging support for families of sick kids

@rparmar_BC @Josie_Osborne @Adam_Stirling @richardzussman

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@Adam_Stirling Thank you, Adam. I’m grateful my voice could help make a difference. This is a win for public advocacy & a reminder that it takes a village. Real change will come from communities standing up for one another, not from govt policies that lack accountability and transparency.

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

As they should have done weeks ago. Charleigh will finally get the treatment she needs to live the best life possible—for as long as her FAMILY and CARE TEAM see fit.

A well-earned win for Charleigh and for all rare #disease families.

This never should’ve been a fight.
#bcpoli

[Rob Shaw @RobShaw_BC]

NEW - BC gov has restored drug coverage for Charleigh Pollock, the terminally ill 10-yr-old girl from Langford.
Health Minister Josie Osborne informed the family tonight. Says it's not acceptable Charleigh is suffering during a disagreement from medical experts about the drug.

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

How do they plan to explain this one away? Do they really think the public will keep swallowing the same tired line—that they’ve consulted all the data and spoken to experts? Please. Enough with the smoke and mirrors. @Dave_Eby @Josie_Osborne #bcpoli #savecharleigh

[Rob Shaw @RobShaw_BC]

NEW - 13 expert U.S. doctors in Batten Disease have written a joint letter to @Josie_Osborne @Dave_Eby saying gov is using the wrong scoring, science and evaluation to discontinue Brineura for Charleigh Pollock.
Doctors from hospitals in New York, Columbus, Baltimore, Denver, California, Chicago, North Carolina, Boston, St. Louis, and more.

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

I cannot imagine what Charleigh's family is going through right now. It terrifies me—for them, and for the rest living with #RareDisease and relying on #rare medications. This kind of reckless power play is a chilling glimpse into what could lie ahead for many. #bcpoli #health

[Adam Stirling 11am-3pm Weekdays @Adam_Stirling]

Hear Jori Fales react to B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne again refusing to restore funding for Charleigh Pollock this morning #bcpoli

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@Adam_Stirling I don’t think anyone could say she looks to be in end-of-life. But if this is what that looks like for a child w/ #BattenDisease, then let it be known: she deserves to live out her days smiling—w/ the med that makes that possible. #bcpoli #SaveCharleigh

https://t.co/7IFKJEAq6E

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

I don’t think anyone could say she looks to be in end-of-life. But if this is what that looks like for a child w/ #BattenDisease, then let it be known: she deserves to live out her days smiling—w/ the med that makes that possible. #bcpoli #SaveCharleigh
https://t.co/7IFKJEAq6E

[Adam Stirling 11am-3pm Weekdays @Adam_Stirling]

I wonder if the government has crunched the numbers and computed how much extra financial liability could be created if it established a precedent for a situation in which funding from BC’s Expensive Drugs for Rare Diseases program could still be granted even against a recommendation by an expert panel?

Not just in this case, and not just with this disease, I mean, but generally? Litigation is expensive. But could securing additional general coverage obligations from a government make legal costs for the test cast look tiny by comparison?

Has anyone seen any scholarly work on this they could recommend?

#bcpoli

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@JeffKibbleCML I’m concerned that @Dave_Eby’s comment was meant to give the impression that Charleigh’s medical team was consulted and supports the decision to discontinue her medication. By all accounts — and her mother’s testimony — this is simply not true.

@JeffKibbleCML keep speaking up!

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

I’m concerned that @Dave_Eby’s comment was meant to give the impression that Charleigh’s medical team was consulted and supports the decision to discontinue her medication. By all accounts — and her mother’s testimony — this is simply not true.

@JeffKibbleCML, keep speaking up!

[Jeff Kibble CML @JeffKibbleCML]

Premier David Eby says politicians shouldn’t interfere in medical decisions—yet his government is doing just that.
Charleigh Pollock is the only child in BC receiving treatment for Batten disease. Now, the Province has denied the special authority that covered the cost of her life-changing medication—against the direction of her specialists.
This isn’t just cruel—it’s dangerous. It sets a precedent for how BC treats rare and complex conditions.
I’ve written to the Premier demanding action. Let doctors—not bureaucrats—make the medical decisions.
This is about a little girl’s life. Stand with Charleigh.
#LetDoctorsDecide #StandWithCharleigh #JusticeForCharleigh #RareDisease #FamiliesFirst #BCPoli #LeadershipMatters #DoTheRightThing

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@Josie_Osborne initiated the review. It says decisions should be made with the #patient and their medical team.

This family wasn’t involved.

.@Dave_Eby — your government is involved. You funded the program. You called for the review. Do the right thing.

https://t.co/81GfkB98Ut

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@Adam_Stirling @Dave_Eby says gov’t shouldn’t interfere in medical decisions — they already have! The MOH makes the funding decisions and called for the review of Charleigh’s case.
The real question: shouldn’t that come with a duty to fully read the review and ensure all criteria are met?

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@Dave_Eby says gov’t shouldn’t interfere in medical decisions — they already have! The MOH makes the funding decisions and called for the review of Charleigh’s case.
The real question: shouldn’t that come with a duty to fully read the review and ensure all criteria are met?

[Adam Stirling 11am-3pm Weekdays @Adam_Stirling]

Update: Premier David Eby responds to a question from Vaughn Palmer about 9 yr old Charleigh Pollock having her medicine defunded by the government.

Eby says he does not favour intervening in cases like this and he cautions that a system in which politicians did intervene could be one that is “worse.” #bcpoli

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

Follow proper process and rules? Not if you're in the
@bcndp or a government office. @Josie_Osborne requested the review of Charleigh’s treatment — but hasn’t ensured accountability! If a review is called, it must be read thoroughly, and every step properly followed. #bcpoli

[Rob Shaw @RobShaw_BC]

When asked today, @Dave_Eby says the most important thing is for his government to follow the proper processes and rules. @VaughnPalmer asks if there's no room for compassion and intervention given Charleigh's case. Eby says that would lead to a "worse" outcome.

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@RobShaw_BC @Dave_Eby @VaughnPalmer Follow proper process and rules? Not if you're in the @bcndp or a government office. @Josie_Osborne requested the review of Charleigh’s treatment — but hasn’t ensured accountability. If a review is called, it must be read thoroughly, and every step properly followed. #bcpoli

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

In #BC decisions on funding expensive drugs for rare diseases (EDRDs) are made by the Ministry of #Health, with input from expert committees. While meant to ensure a fair and sustainable system, this process is now being used to deny life-saving care to a child. #bcpoli @bcndp

[Rob Shaw @RobShaw_BC]

A dying child deserves more than a B.C. politician passing the buck when cutting her medication. Charleigh Pollock deserves compassion from a government that needs to search its soul for what it professes to stand for.
My latest in @TheOrcaBC:
https://t.co/m6qTM4K0eA

[Camille Currie @CCurrieadvocate]

@RobShaw_BC @TheOrcaBC #Canada launched its first Rare Disease Drug Strategy in 2023 sounds good, right? But Italy had one 2001. France 2005. England 2013. Mexico 2014. We're years behind & now #BC IS setting dangerous precedents.

@Dave_Eby & Osborne ignored expert advice. That’s how we got here!