HOSPITAL FOUNDATIONS’ DOLLARS TO GO FURTHER

VICTORIA – Money raised by hospital auxiliaries and foundations in British Columbia will buy more as a result of government’s decision to refund the provincial sales tax on purchases of medical equipment funded by charitable groups, announced Health Minister George Abbott.

“The tax break for hospital auxiliaries and foundations will be an enormous benefit to our public health system, as the new tax policy ensures every dollar raised by hospital auxiliary foundations in British Columbia will go even further,” said Abbott. “Foundations provide our hospitals with wonderful services that improve the overall health care in this province. These services range from purchasing state-of-the-art medical equipment like mini-dialysis units to funding groundbreaking research for cures and treatments to building new hospital gift shops.”

Refunds of provincial sales tax will be available to a registered charity or an eligible hospital auxiliary on medical equipment purchased on or after Feb. 21, 2007. The refund is only available when the purchase is made with the charity's or auxiliary's funds and the medical equipment is used by a health facility to treat or diagnose patients.

Last year, hospital auxiliaries paid upwards of $400,000 in provincial sales tax through the millions of dollars in hospital equipment they purchased,” said Colleen Kason, president of the B.C. Association of Health-Care Auxiliaries. “Our organization is thrilled the provincial government has decided to change this tax policy that will result in improved services and equipment for patients.”