Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, imagine after a long struggle, you're finally about to undergo a surgery you've been waiting for. You've worked your way through multiple doctors' offices, gotten your referrals in order, and have persevered patiently on the waitlist. Yet, just as you arrive for the operation, you are asked how you're going to pay for it. Up until this moment, it was your understanding that this crucial surgery came at no cost. Now you're faced with a choice: Pay thousands of dollars or give up on the opportunity and, with it, the better quality of life you've worked so hard for.
This is sadly the experience of my Range Lake constituents. In their determination to correct their health, they have lost an impressive amount of weight, so successful were they that they were suffering from a severe amount of excess skin. Through -- though the body dysmorphic disorder that triggered this serious affliction on its own, the pain was physical as well. The skin was pinching their nerves and giving them serious discomfort around their tailbone. Sitting for long periods of time proved unbearable. Doctors agreed that clearing up and contouring their abdomen was medically necessary and made the commonsense assumption that given these operations were part of one treatment, all the costs associated would be taken care of. Well, it turns out they were wrong, Mr. Speaker.
Health and social services were bound by a nonsensical policy dictating that skin removal was necessary, but the contouring was cosmetic; therefore, half of the operation had to be paid out of pocket because it was uninsured, yet the constituent could not choose one without the other. Clearly, these archaic policies must be reviewed, and the Minister does not want to change the rules to fit a handful of situations, exceptions are necessary to ensure this constituent, and those who find themselves in similar circumstances, do not suffer the same indignities.
Today I will give the Minister of Health and Social Services the opportunity to right this wrong and commit to bringing her policy -- new policies regarding the insurability of cosmetic surgeries in certain exceptional circumstances in line with the intent of Canada -- the Canada Health Act's mandate for the accessibility of medically necessary services free from financial barrier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
