Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Ms. Bisaro on May 13, 2010, regarding suggestions for funding of the proposed Supplementary Health Benefits Program.
As announced in the House on May 18, 2010, a joint working group was created to address the concerns raised and finalize the SHB Program implementation. The joint working group was composed of three Regular Members and three Cabinet Ministers, including myself as Minister of Health and Social Services. Once the report is finalized it will be shared with Cabinet and the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning.
The joint working group used the principles of consensus government to ensure that the final program is available to all residents of the Northwest Territories. The focus of the group was to define personal and employer responsibilities around uninsured health care and third-party insurance, ensure that a safety net is created for residents who accrue high health care costs, and defining catastrophic coverage.
The joint working group also gave consideration to the suggestions for efficiencies and alternate funding sources provided to the Department of Health and Social Services in the written question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
