Maternity program shortfall

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 50, No. 5, June 2008, Page 242 Letters
By: Jennifer Balfour, MD, FRCPC

I note the reminder in the last issue [BCMJ 2008;50:57] of the existence of the Pregnancy Leave Program, with an invitation to apply for this benefit.  

Members should be aware that despite this being a negotiated benefit, it is not funded as agreed. In the two times I have applied for this benefit in the last 4 years I was told that funds did not exist to fund my leave as negotiated, and was ultimately paid about 60% to 70% of the negotiated program. 

It is hard for me to understand how a negotiated agreement between the government and the BCMA ultimately doesn’t end up existing as agreed, and hope there is work being done to rectify this shortfall in the future.

—Jennifer Balfour, MD
Victoria

Jennifer Balfour, MD, FRCPC. Maternity program shortfall. BCMJ, Vol. 50, No. 5, June, 2008, Page(s) 242 - Letters.


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