Fort Simpson (July 06/01) - Leaders in communities like Fort Simpson don't think much of a proposal to eliminate the region's health board, but the MLA for Deh Cho thinks the idea may have merit.

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Michael McLeod believes places like Fort Providence could benefit if the health system is restructured, as written in a $375,000 review.

The Cuff Report says Hay River is the best place for one of three new boards that should replace nine in place now.

Centralizing services "may be positive" for Fort Providence, Kakisa, Enterprise and the Hay River Reserve, McLeod says.

On the other hand Justice Minister Jim Antoine is critical of the report, saying "it has drastic implications" for his constituents.

The Nahendeh MLA represents Fort Simpson, where the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Board is headquartered and employs 10. It is unknown if any of the jobs would be cut.

Antoine played down the report last week, saying the government "receives all kinds of consultants reports."

He praised the Deh Cho board for not posting deficits, unlike several other NWT health boards.

According to McLeod many of his constituents are frustrated that the health region's more northern power base could be leaving communities closer to Hay River short-changed on services and board representation. He adds that centralizing health care can be positive if savings are pumped back into the system.

The report recommends an extra $15 million to help provide better health care outside of Yellowknife.

Liidli Kue First Nations Chief Rita Cli condemned the possibility of the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Board being eliminated.

She told other chiefs at last week's Deh Cho annual assembly that "It makes me so, so angry. Enough is enough. No more. We want our board to be intact." She believes that a return to centralization -- the system was more centralized before 1988 -- undermines self-government talks that are under way.

Deh Cho leaders hope that some day the region can have its own health-care system.

Other Deh Cho residents like Margaret Leishman said that Northern residents should practice prevention by looking after themselves better.

Board Chair Alan Landry said the report's criticism of small boards "does not reflect on how this board is run. We're one of the most, if not the most, efficient."

He said the report goes against emphasis placed on community-based care at a recent GNWT health and social services conference. Landry is refusing to attend a July 9 Yellowknife meeting on the report because his board won't be examining it until later. Antoine said spiralling health care costs and other health system shortcomings need to be addressed, but he didn't expect the report to call for such far-reaching changes.

The Deh Cho board spends over $1.2 million a year sending patients to more centralized health care facilities, mostly in Alberta.

Nobody contacted had read the entire report, citing its 222-page length and 62-page summary.