Debates of October 31, 2022 (day 129)

Date
October
31
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
129
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O’Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Written Question 50-19(2): Treating Infertility

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

The Government of the Northwest Territories provides services to treat underlying medical conditions that cause infertility.

What medical conditions are approved?

I have constituents who have underlying medical conditions requiring treatment before fertility treatment is available, and it is not supported by the GNWT. So Who decides what conditions are recognized and which ones are not?

If a fertility specialist identifies a condition that needs to be addressed before in vitro fertilization treatment is possible, why does a Northwest Territories resident need a referral from a Northwest Territories physician? This is administratively burdensome and adds significant time to a process where timing very much matters. Will the Minister create a directive to medical travel to accept referrals from specialists outside of the territory rather than the current system that duplicates this process? And,

Given the question of equity of healthcare for birth givers, why are vasectomies and vasectomy reversals covered whereas fertility treatments for birth givers are not? Who decides what is medically necessary and what is not?

Thank you.

Speaker: DEPUTY SPEAKER

Thank you, Member. Written questions. Member for Deh Cho.