Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, The Supplementary Health Benefits Programs will create a publiclyfunded supplemental health benefits program for lowincome residents. This program replaces the current specified disease condition criteria, with a needsbased, incometested model, where changes will be phased in over time while leaving senior benefits as is. The creation of a new program is to include essential dental services and treatment, medical supplies, equipment such as hearing aids and walkers, and prescription eyewear. Access to the program will be incomebased and residents must apply annually.
Madam Speaker, the proposed lowincome thresholds are too low, particularly for individuals living alone, which is already more expensive. A working individual making $40,000 annually, living alone, and paying $20,000 in rent, is not going to be able to cover big items. Residents are assessed against household income, according to their CRA income statements.
Given the housing shortage, many people are forced to live together in one place, often in multigenerational situations. This is not out of choice but out of need. If they all work and the overall household income is high, they will be on the hook for paying more of their medical needs. How do we avoid penalizing those who can't get, or pay, for housing, and are now not eligible for benefits due to the higher overall household income?
All household members must provide their Canada Revenue Agency income statement with the new proposed costsharing model deductibles. For low to moderate income, it would be a contribution of 30 percent of the cost. Why not 20 percent or even 25 percent? Again, the $53,000 for the individual, or base income, is too low. These are residents living paycheque to paycheque, already on the fiscal edge the working poor.
I applaud the inclusion in the proposed supplementary health benefits to provide financial assistance to offset costs for essential dental services. Preventative, restorative treatments to maintain good oral health will be covered. That includes exams, xrays, cleaning, fluoride treatment, extractions, treating infection, pain or gum disease, and dentures. This is a positive step forward and we need to ensure that we are being realistic on who we allow to qualify for them. It's time that we stop crippling residents with an unrealistic cost of living and show them that their health is important to us. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
