Health care is not free, Finance Minister Mike de Jong insists, but a number of British Columbians think there are better ways for people to pay for it.
The issue has arisen again because the BC Liberal government has promised to cut MSP payments in half next year for households that make less than $120,000 annually.
Under current rules, for those who do not have company-sponsored health benefits, B.C. residents are paying premiums based on income income topping out at $75 for people making over $42,000 a year while those making less than $24,000, post secondary-students and minors pay nothing.
Some have suggested the province do away with MSP payments and instead raise all the funds through taxes so payments are tied to income instead of a flat fee.
The province has announced it is considering this option but it's not ready to do away with the lucrative fees that will bring in $1.7 billion after changes announced this week.
But with an election in the offing, who's to say what the future of MSP premiums will be.
