Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we begin our public meetings on supplementary health benefits, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the substance of the changes being proposed.
Mr. Speaker, we want to improve “ACCESS” to the program. Our proposed changes will expand access to a group of people in our population who are currently shut out or have limited access. This will ensure that access to supplementary health benefits is no longer determined by a specific condition or by age but by income level. This is the accepted practice across the country. The change will also mean that high income earners, people who can afford to contribute, will be asked to pay a percentage of the cost of the benefits.
Mr. Speaker, depending on the final determination of the income threshold, supplementary health benefits could be provided to between 1,700 and 2,300 people, primarily children, who currently have limited or no access. This would also mean we will no longer have to tolerate a situation where a single parent making $50,000 a year, with no employer benefits, has to go without dental benefits for their children while a single person, with no dependents, making $190,000 a year with third-party insurance, still get their dental coverage under this program. The existing program is exclusive, unfair and inequitable and it is time that we rectify this situation.
Mr. Speaker, the response to our public discussion paper has been highly productive. Our residents generally support the direction of this proposal but they would like to know how the changes would
impact them personally. Therefore, we will include in our public discussions going forward two options. The starting thresholds of $30,000 net income or $50,000 net income as defined by line 236 on the federal income tax form.
The number of people who will be covered at 100 percent and those who would have to pay a co-payment varies depending on net income and number of dependents. Moreover, unlike the previous proposal, benefits will not be eliminated when the income threshold is reached. Instead, residents will be asked to contribute a co-payment to their supplementary health benefit coverage. The co-payment will start at 20 percent and increase in 5 percent increments every 20,000 as net income increases.
This means a single person or couples who make $190,000 net income would still have access to the benefits, albeit with a co-payment, making this program one of the most robust in the country. In fact, Mr. Speaker, under the proposed changes, 55 to 75 percent of our non-aboriginal population will have 100 percent coverage in Supplementary Health Benefits Program. The remaining 25 to 45 percent of the population would pay a co-payment depending on their income level.
Mr. Speaker, this is not about reducing the basket of benefits. The program will continue to cover prescribed vision care, dental benefits and prescription drugs and supplies.
During last session, Members of this House passed a unanimous motion calling on the government to come up with an anti-poverty strategy. The changes being proposed under supplementary health benefits are a step forward in poverty reduction and addressing the cost of living issue in our Territory.
Mr. Speaker, the Supplementary Health Benefits Program has been reviewed for over 10 years because so many of our residents do not have full access to it. Let me be clear: doing nothing is not an option nor is it in the public interest. Expanding access without rectifying the inequity and unfairness in the program may be a quick fix and perhaps the easiest action to take, but it is not a good public policy. The changes proposed are going in the right direction in the most inclusive, fair and equitable manner.
Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to seek out the information they need from reliable sources and to use the formal channels that have been provided for feedback. I would also urge everyone to attend public meetings on the proposed changes, which started yesterday in Fort Simpson and which will continue on to Hay River, Fort Smith, Norman Wells, Inuvik and Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we make these changes so that those who need this program will have access to them as soon as possible and not have to wait another 10 years of studying, reviewing and talking about them.
Mr. Speaker, with constructive and productive public discussion, this process will be able to conclude this spring. In coming weeks I look forward to continue our work with all Members of this House and the standing committee to implement the changes necessary to ensure this program is available to those who need it the most, regardless of specific conditions or age. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
