MSP enrolment confusion
#16
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
I think they probably would. The premiums have been reduced this year by 50% but I think many people would like to get rid of them. A lot of people also get them paid by work but it's the usual thing: only a certain type of person (often in a well paid job to begin with) benefits. My husband's company pays half. I suspect those in lower paid jobs don't get that as a benefit. My husband didn't in his last job (small company). I'm mainly self employed so don't get extended benefits or MSP premium paid. Obviously that's okay at this point as the MSP premium is for a family in our case so my husband gets it. I know those whose family income is under a certain amount are exempt but the threshold for exemption is quite a low family income.
I found this which may be slightly out of date:
https://www.morneaushepell.com/ca-en...ealth-premiums
I found this which may be slightly out of date:
https://www.morneaushepell.com/ca-en...ealth-premiums
People don't mind others paying for things they use - there's a surprise too.
#19
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
So it is a tax by another name, just as I said. The same applies to GST, property tax, etc.
I know, that is why those that don't have to pay income tax like others having to pay for things via income tax.
I know, that is why those that don't have to pay income tax like others having to pay for things via income tax.
#20
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
Not being a resident of BC, I have no idea how they intend to plug the gap but, if the Premier and Weaver have anything to do with it, it wouldn't surprise me if they inform BC residents that they will fund it through a tax imposed upon anything that flows through pipelines that allow the passage of resources from Alberta
#21
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
Well, that depends on what they intend to use to replace the revenue received. If they add it to income tax, your argument will not apply, although it will if they add it to consumption taxes.
Not being a resident of BC, I have no idea how they intend to plug the gap but, if the Premier and Weaver have anything to do with it, it wouldn't surprise me if they inform BC residents that they will fund it through a tax imposed upon anything that flows through pipelines that allow the passage of resources from Alberta
Not being a resident of BC, I have no idea how they intend to plug the gap but, if the Premier and Weaver have anything to do with it, it wouldn't surprise me if they inform BC residents that they will fund it through a tax imposed upon anything that flows through pipelines that allow the passage of resources from Alberta
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
Taxes, but doesn't have to be done via premiums. It should come from the general revenue tax pool or through payroll taxes. Many employers already cover the cost of partial cost (not all though) so some employers may actually come out a head with this new method.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Feb 23rd 2018 at 5:38 pm.
#24
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
And retail prices will now climb. I know a number of businesses that have decided to close and retire several years earlier than planned. All are employers and jobs will be lost, mostly min wage jobs.
The biggest losers out of this is anyone relying on a fixed income, seniors and people with disabilities in particular. We will all be met with higher prices, but with s fixed income, they have less to go around. The govt. mandated higher wages, higher taxes, but did not step up with corresponding increases in payments to seniors and disabled.
Those who get premium assistance will see no benefit to getting rid of MSP premiums, they will see the higher prices though and have to pay those. This group will be worse off.
Lots of folks are taking a very short sighted view of these changes, thinking oh goody the greedy business people will be taxed more. Higher costs go into the cost of goods, if cost of goods go up, prices rise.
We will see more automation, the higher the wage bills go up, the more cost effective this becomes. This will result in job losses. And so it goes on.
The biggest losers out of this is anyone relying on a fixed income, seniors and people with disabilities in particular. We will all be met with higher prices, but with s fixed income, they have less to go around. The govt. mandated higher wages, higher taxes, but did not step up with corresponding increases in payments to seniors and disabled.
Those who get premium assistance will see no benefit to getting rid of MSP premiums, they will see the higher prices though and have to pay those. This group will be worse off.
Lots of folks are taking a very short sighted view of these changes, thinking oh goody the greedy business people will be taxed more. Higher costs go into the cost of goods, if cost of goods go up, prices rise.
We will see more automation, the higher the wage bills go up, the more cost effective this becomes. This will result in job losses. And so it goes on.
Cannot say about seniors, but PWD in BC has gone up more in the last year under the NDP then it did under the previous government, is it a massive raise in PWD, no but at least it was raised, any raise is better then none.
It's false to say PWD in BC has not gone up, it has. It was stagnant however under the BC Liberals.
#25
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
This thread is going the usual way, high income folks think they get taxed too much and the poorer folks should be more poor and pay more taxes and fees.
Oh well. I am done as I have to go work in the snow for 13 hours of which 95% of my income earned doing so goes to a multi-millionaire in the form of rent, life is so grand.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Feb 23rd 2018 at 5:42 pm.
#26
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
You'll also have to explain to me how some employers will come out ahead with the new method.
#27
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
Not quite, if one has no income there is/was premium assistance in which premiums were fully are partially waived.
This thread is going the usual way, high income folks think they get taxed too much and the poorer folks should be more poor and pay more taxes and fees.
Oh well. I am done as I have to go work in the snow for 13 hours of which 95% of my income earned doing so goes to a multi-millionaire in the form of rent, life is so grand.
This thread is going the usual way, high income folks think they get taxed too much and the poorer folks should be more poor and pay more taxes and fees.
Oh well. I am done as I have to go work in the snow for 13 hours of which 95% of my income earned doing so goes to a multi-millionaire in the form of rent, life is so grand.
I do believe that all should be responsible for paying for a service, if they wish to receive that service. Don't you?
#28
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
Somewhat disproportional.
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,873
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
NOTE ...................
the business premium which will replace the MSP as of January 1 2019 does NOT apply to businesses doing less than $500,000 per year, after that there will be pro-rated amounts as earnings increase.
So most small businesses will NOT be affected by the new "premium".
FWIW .................... someone might well have good benefits from their employer in which some or all of MSP, Extended Health and Dental premiums are paid, but that changes when you retire. The whole cost of all premiums is then the responsibility of the retired person ........ unless you happen to be in receipt of a Federal pension.
In our case, that meant an increase in cost of premiums from less than $100/month to over $350 ............... and a reduction in the number of items that were covered or in the percentage of the cost covered.
the business premium which will replace the MSP as of January 1 2019 does NOT apply to businesses doing less than $500,000 per year, after that there will be pro-rated amounts as earnings increase.
So most small businesses will NOT be affected by the new "premium".
FWIW .................... someone might well have good benefits from their employer in which some or all of MSP, Extended Health and Dental premiums are paid, but that changes when you retire. The whole cost of all premiums is then the responsibility of the retired person ........ unless you happen to be in receipt of a Federal pension.
In our case, that meant an increase in cost of premiums from less than $100/month to over $350 ............... and a reduction in the number of items that were covered or in the percentage of the cost covered.
#30
Re: MSP enrolment confusion
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/h...premiums/rates
for anyone interested
To add BC is the only province in the country that currently charges MSP premiums so I am not sure why BC would be indifferent with doing away with it. My employer already pays mine so does not impact me.
for anyone interested
To add BC is the only province in the country that currently charges MSP premiums so I am not sure why BC would be indifferent with doing away with it. My employer already pays mine so does not impact me.
Last edited by Engineer_abroad; Feb 23rd 2018 at 9:42 pm.