When BC NDP leader David Eby called a snap election, it left many people scrambling — journalists, campaign staff, terminally-online politicos all prepared for a busy next few weeks.
For some, however, the consequences are far more serious and could potentially be felt long after October 24.
Among them are patients who receive HIV care at Spectrum Health in Vancouver, which provides such services for a quarter of all British Columbians with the illness.
Months ago, the Ministry of Health informed the clinic that the population-based funding model — which they had relied on since opening in 1999 — would be discontinued on September 30.
In an email sent to patients on August 4 obtained by Sitka Media, physicians at the clinic explained that population-based funding "paid us based on [patients'] medical complexity (rather than on a per-visit basis) and for providing specialized HIV."
The new proposed contract from the ministry, they added, "represents a significant drop in clinic funding compared to under [population-based funding]," and does not include "any ongoing, dedicated HIV funding," despite promises from the government to the contrary.
As a result of the change, one of the eight doctors at the clinic, Dr. Eben Nel, made the "extremely difficult" decision to close his practice effective October 31. Because his seven soon-to-be-former colleagues are at capacity, they are "unable to accommodate any transfers within Spectrum for patients discharged from [his] practice."
On his website, Nel explained that the population-based funding model allowed for "longer appointments when clinically necessary, team-based care, including nursing visits, care coordination and work between appointments, patient portal messaging, low-barrier STI testing and streamlined PrEP renewals, comprehensive physicals and preventive care," and " dedicated support for HIV and medically complex care."
He lamented that "without the previous model, he could not continue providing care at Spectrum in a manner he considers appropriate and sustainable for his particular mix of patients."
In their letter, the remaining physicians said they "will have to transition to a new funding model, to be determined, from October onwards," and warned that, "this will affect the style of care we provide in ways we cannot yet fully anticipate."
Just weeks later, now-former health minister Josie Osborne was shuffled out and Ravi Kahlon took her place. Under his leadership, the ministry agreed to come back to the table and negotiate a funding agreement that better suited Spectrum's complex needs.
"Good news, right?" Spectrum patient Nick Ellan wrote in a post on Facebook. "Well, it was, until David Eby called an election."
He explained that "those negotiations were ongoing, and were cancelled as a result," meaning the funding model will expire on September 30.
"Whether the next government resumes those negotiations and restores that funding is anyone's guess," he warned. "The staff and patients are now in the lurch again. It's all less than ideal, one might say."
The BC govt’s HIV primary care funding agreement expires Sept. 30, but talks were underway to fund a new deal.
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) September 24, 2026
Those negotiations were cancelled due to the election.
Sitka Media’s @JarrydJaeger asked Eby what he says to vulnerable BCers whose essential care is now in limbo ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/o3RJRUVTgj
During a recent press conference in Maple Ridge, BC NDP leader David Eby was asked by Sitka Media what his message is to vulnerable populations such as those receiving care at Spectrum who are impacted by his decision to call an election.
"I think British Columbians who are anxious about health services right now should know that there's a clear choice in this election," he said. "Doesn't matter if it's HIV like the folks you mentioned in this question that are dealing with that illness, or whether there's someone who's wondering if they're going to be able to connect with a family doctor."
Eby went on to suggest that while the BC Conservatives would cut funding to health care, his party would improve care for all British Columbians.
"We appreciate the important work that the Spectrum Health care does, especially with their expertise of working with those living with HIV and connecting them to primary care," Incumbent Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert said in a statement to Sitka Media. "People living with HIV have unique health challenges and having a care team that understands that is critically important. Clinics transitioning away from the old funding model are working with the Ministry and health authorities to find a suitable path forward that works for them and patients."
He added that "the BC NDP will work together with Spectrum Health to find a path forward that works for Spectrum and ensures these patients continue to get the exceptional care from this clinic and their physicians."
A spokesperson for the BC Conservative campaign told Sitka Media the party would, if elected, also "work with the clinic, its physicians and its patients so people get the care they rely on."
"This is one more consequence of David Eby's cynical, self-serving decision to call a snap election," they added, "and the uncertainty he created is landing on some of the most vulnerable patients."
For now, there's nothing patients can do but wait.
