Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about challenges facing our students trying to access health care while away at school. There are constituents in my riding who have children attending university down south and while the students are away at school, medical appointments are arranged in Edmonton. Mr. Speaker, sometimes you wait four, six, eight months for these appointments. These students, who are away from home studying, are required by the GNWT to attend these specialized appointments unaccompanied without any support.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize we are in a time of fiscal restraint, but surely we are not asking our youth to attend a specialized medical appointment outside of the territory unaccommodated and unsupported. Mr. Speaker, these are NWT youths. They don't have experience navigating health care systems, especially in big city centres like Edmonton. How can we expect these youth to advocate for themselves at a time like this? Mr. Speaker, we need to ensure that medical concerns are being communicated and medical information is clearly understood to ensure the best health care decisions are made for our youth.
Mr. Speaker, the issues and challenges with medical travel have been recognized by both sides of this House, and I know the Minister is alive to the gaps in the medical travel policy. Mr. Speaker, under the ministerial policy on medical travel, escort criteria, a non-medical escort will be authorized when, as per section 6.(2)(a), the eligible person is under the age of 19 and requires an escort. Mr. Speaker, who decides when a minor who is under 19 years of age requires an escort or does not require an escort. Is there any conversation with the client or family when determining whether an escort is required? Is it the right to appeal a medical travel decision made clear to clients? Mr. Speaker, how are clients informed of their right to complain about decisions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
