Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Next on my list is Mr. Bouchard.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I don’t know if the Minister understood my question. I’m not asking him at this point to cover the cost of the surgery, but following surgery there are very often follow-up consultations and follow-up procedures that are required and the Minister says physicians are refusing that. If the Minister gives direction for the system to cover the costs of follow-up, if people are trying to improve themselves, I don’t understand why we would not assist them in doing that. Thank you.

I guess I would request the department to provide that information to committee if they would.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. DeLancey.

Thanks to the Minister. I’m glad to hear that this is something that may be on the horizon. The Minister mentioned he’s in discussion and that the department, I gather, is looking into this. I’d like to know from the Minister what kind of discussions are these, are these taking us forward to action and when might that action be. Thank you.

Thanks to Ms. DeLancey for the explanation. I appreciate that it’s a long-term objective to get this done, and it is going to take a lot of time before it does happen. It sounds as though the changes that are being instituted this next fiscal year are coming from within or ones that are happening right now. Are we going to be looking at an increase in the budget after the fiscal year 2013-2014 in order to get some of these things done, or will all the changes be handled from within?

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Ms. Mathison.

The GNWT’s own description of NWT insured health services states, “The Minister may add, change or delete insured hospital services.” With that authority, the Minister and his department must consider including bariatric surgery as an insured service for NWT residents. It will mean gains for everyone involved.

I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Minister Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Bromley, you have 53 seconds. Do you have another question?