Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On May 12, 2010, I presented the latest proposal on the Supplementary Health Benefits Program to the Standing Committee on Social Programs. From the beginning this program has been designed to ensure that all residents in the Northwest Territories can access supplementary health benefits. Our first priority has been to develop a range of supports not covered by the Canada Health Act, third-party insurance, or other federal or territorial programs.
Since then, the Members of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning have presented specific items they would like the government to consider before this program is implemented. I’m interested in reviewing those items and improving on the program we have presented.
As such, I’d like to announce today the creation of a working group of Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly to assist in this effort. This working group will use our government’s consensus approach to finalize the planning for and ensure a smooth transition to a new program. The group will consider, in part:
personal third-party coverage responsibility;
approaches to limit employer and/or individuals from dropping third-party insurance; and
the issue of accumulated high cost and a capped threshold.
This working group will report to Cabinet and the Priorities and Planning committee in June of this year to ensure an implementation date on or before November 1st, 2010.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
