Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday in the House the Minister of Health and Social Services announced that the Legislative Assembly has created a working group of Ministers and Regular Members to assist in the review of specific items that Members and the public would like to have reviewed prior to the implementation of the new Supplementary Health Benefits Program. The intent of this working group is to improve upon the program that the Minister has already presented.
According to the press release from yesterday afternoon, the working group will consist of three Regular Members and three Ministers, one of which will be the Minister of Health and Social Services.
For the record, I am supportive of this group. I have a significant amount of confidence in my Regular Member colleagues as well as any additional Ministers that are appointed to this committee. I believe that they will listen to what Regular Members and the public have to say and attempt to incorporate those comments and concerns into any future direction that the Minister of Health and Social Services may take. I’m supportive of this group and I’m optimistic that this could result in a new Supplementary Health Benefits Program that is in the best interest of all people of the Northwest Territories.
However, I am concerned that the Minister is limiting the discussion to three key areas: personal third-party coverage responsibility, which is important; approaches to limit employer and individuals from dropping third-party insurance, which is also important; and the issue of accumulated high cost and capped threshold, which once again is also important.
These are clearly areas which need to be addressed. However, I feel that addressing these fairly could necessitate the need to modify much of the Minister’s current plan. This could mean that other areas outside of the scope of the committee must also be considered. As such, the Minister must be open to making changes to all aspects of the plan if the committee directs her to do that. If the Minister is open to these, this process could easily work and result in a fair and equitable supplemental health care plan. If past predicts future, I’m worried that the Minister will remain committed to her existing plan.
I encourage the Minister to have an open mind and listen to and work with this working group. No options should be disregarded without reasonable consideration.
Lastly, I’m concerned with the implementation date presented by the Minister yesterday. Yesterday the Minister indicated that a program will be implemented on or before November 1, 2010. On or before means that the Minister may, or could, still implement the program on September 30, 2010, as she originally intended, which is prior to the next sitting of the next Legislative Assembly. To me, this could undermine the intent and good work of this newly established working group.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage the working group to take the time needed to do the work required and develop a reasonable and appropriate Supplemental Health Benefits Program. Mr. Speaker, it’s more important that we get it done right as opposed to get it done right now. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
