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Flat-rate MSP fee penalizes low-income earners

I know that the provincial budget is going to be announced soon. I also know that there is a possibility my MSP premiums…

I know that the provincial budget is going to be announced soon. I also know that there is a possibility my MSP premiums are going to increase again. My wife and I are seniors living on a modest income. I am 71 years old and we both still have to work part time to supplement our income.

The more we earn, the more income tax I have to pay, based on how much we make over the year, which I think is fair. What is not fair are the flat rate monthly MSP payments of $130, which are the same as what you pay and yet you get paid (by us taxpayers), more than double what my wife and I earn combined. This is the same amount paid by multi-millionaire Jim Pattison for example.

As I understand it, the MSP premiums  go into general revenue and are therefore a form of tax. People in B.C. are starting to wake up to this glaring anomaly and are becoming incensed that they have to pay a disproportionate amount for this money grab relative to what they earn. Family friendly it is not.

Incidentally, both my wife and myself are lucky enough to be in good health and our only demands on the health system are our annual medical checkups at our local clinic.

For your serious consideration.

James Roberts