The MLA for Delta South says that the much maligned $25 a month wheelchair fees for seniors in public care homes is really the tip of the iceberg.
Vicki Huntington says she's spoken with sources at Fraser Health who tell her that as of the start of September, mobility challenged seniors are going to have to part with a hundred bucks a month to get around.
"Existing residents as of September 1st can rent a Fraser Health wheelchair for 25 dollars, but after September the 1st, if you're a new resident, you have to rent from a private vendor, which means 70 to 100 dollars, and he said yes, that's correct."
Huntington says existing residents, proving financial hardship will still pay the 25-dollar a month fee.
But Fraser Health says this is all a big misunderstanding, and Huntington has her facts wrong.
Fraser Health spokeswoman Tasleem Juma says while new and existing residents will have the option of privately renting or buying, paying that 25 dollar a month fee for a Fraser Health wheelchair will still be an option.
"If you are unable to purchase or rent a wheelchair from a third-party vendor, and need one that's being lent to you by Fraser Health, then the 25 dollar fee applies, whether you are a new resident or an existing resident is irrelevant."
However Huntington also produced a letter, dated May 31st, 2013, from Fraser Health to back up her claims.
In the letter Fraser Health Residential Care Executive Director Keith McBain informs seniors that unless they are in finanial difficulty they will be required to buy or rent a wheelchair from a private vendor.
The paragraph from the letter in question is below
"Residents who move into this facility after September 1st will be required to purchase or rent equipment from an external supplier. A Fraser Health wheelchair will be available for short term use until the assessment process has been completed and the resident has received their personal wheelchair. A Fraser Health wheelchair assigned for the exclusive use of the resident will only be available for residents who can demonstrate that purchase of a wheelchair or renting from an external vendor will cause financial hardship"
The letter also states to rent a wheelchair from an outside vendor will be between $70 and $100 a month, if they don't pay the, up to, $3500 cost to buy the chair outright.