Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week the Minister of Health and Social Services indicated that the Executive Council agreed to rescind the 2007 policy changing supplementary health benefits. The House applauded this action. Today I wish to address next steps.
The Minister indicated in her statements that advancing work on revising elements of the Supp Health Policy will require varying levels of additional research and planning before implementation. This is a significant statement, one that reflects a longstanding message of many Members and committees that have dealt with this subject. I fully support this intent. The Minister said she will focus on modernization of the existing policy framework, develop policy proposals to require the use of third-party insurance and develop a pharmaceuticals strategy.
Most importantly, there is a commitment to get in place supplementary health coverage for those working poor not currently covered, and an expectation of a federal cost analysis of all measures will reveal savings to cover the costs of ensuring the working poor are covered. I fully support all of these. Again, Mr. Speaker, I am with the Minister on these fronts and will work to support advancing these goals. However, I wanted to offer some comments and cautions towards smooth and steady progress on these issues.
First, I want the Minister to recognize that when Members and committee offer comments and make recommendations, especially those made repeatedly, it will save time and energy to respond positively and thoroughly to that input. It may seem like causing a delay, but ultimately our goals are the same: timely implementation of cost-effective policy in this most important area of the health of our people and our families.
Secondly, bring proposals to committee for input as early as possible. We consider ourselves consensus partners here and a critical voice for the people. Committees will be meeting in the near future and should be considered as a first good opportunity to begin this process. When the Minister says she will move forward “as quickly as we can” or “immediately begin working with,” I want the Minister to have Members and our committees in the front of her mind as an automatic go-to partner.
Mr. Speaker, I usually appreciate the Minister’s decisions on supplementary health as recently elucidated and I look forward to a collaborative approach and making progress on this issue together, and, Mr. Speaker, I’ll be speaking on the respite policy later today. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
