As a status First Nations person, why is my BC Medical paid for by Health Canada? What is the difference?
The federal government has accepted responsibility for ensuring the provision of health care services to Status Indians and Inuit. It currently provides a block transfer payment to the province for cost shareable programs, contracted services, and Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums for Status Indians. The federal government also provides funding for targeted programs that address particular health needs such as nursing care, nutrition, dental health, mental health, environmental health, communicable disease control on reserve, alcohol and drug abuse, and non-insured health benefits. The provincial government has direct responsibility for providing all aspects of health care delivery to all residents of British Columbia, including Status Indians and non-status Indians living off reserve, the Inuit, and Métis. Health services to Status Indians are provided collaboratively by the provincial and federal governments in partnership with the First Nations. In British Columbia, more than 50
