Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
The items listed below are suggestions gathered from Members and NWT residents for efficiencies or alternate funding of the proposed changes to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program
Will the Minister provide me with a list which shows the pros and cons of each suggestion and that provides the ranking given to each option by the Department of Health and Social Services or the Cabinet?
increase income tax;
devise a form of government-assisted, third-party insurance for low income families;
use graduating deductible for coverage, for example, starting at $200;
grandfather people currently using the existing program and implement changes for new clients;
seek input from pharmacists and other front-line service providers in devising the program;
consult with Blue Cross in devising the program;
seek input from established stakeholder groups;
avoid administrative complexity in the new system;
levy a prescription fee for everyone;
increase seniors’ benefit to age to 65;
require employers to provide private insurance and individuals to obtain private insurance coverage only if they provide proof of uninsurability;
do thorough assessment of potential costs of top-ups for people with third-party insurance under the proposed program;
make small, targeted adjustments to deal with specific deficiencies in the existing program;
revise the drug formulary.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
