Yellowknife (Feb 24/03) - MLAs want the government to stop charging a $250 medical travel fee.

The "medical co-payment travel fee" was instituted in the mid-1990s to raise revenue to cover growing health care costs. Many private health-care plans cover the fee and it's covered for status Indians.

Other health concerns Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey raised the issue about the lack of a physiotherapist in his community. Hay River residents needing physiotherapy must travel to Yellowknife. MLAs grilled the health minister about cutting 11 child welfare worker positions, and the problem of too many children being torn away from their families. "This is a major problem in the communities of Aklavik and Fort McPherson," said Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko. "This is not just a problem but an epidemic with regard to the number of children who are now presently in care." Renovation for the Hay River Hospital generated questions from Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen who repeatedly asked for assurance the project would be completed. Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell wanted to know why there is no drug treatment centre for youth in the NWT.

But if you are self-employed, or not covered by a health-care plan, then you must pay $250 up front, on top of any other expenses, if you need to travel to get medical attention.

MLAs say the reasons the $250 fee was introduced no longer exist.

"The government is raising $1 million-plus on the backs of these people and this is wrong," said Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee on Feb. 19.

"I am still unable to have a good explanation to my constituent as to why she should pay when she can least afford it."

According to Health Minister Michael Miltenberger, the travel fee is just one of many issues confronting the Department of Health and Social Services.

He said the department is also dealing with retaining doctors and nurses, long-term care, mental health, and family violence legislation.

"The whole issue of supplementary health benefits has been identified as a problem," said Miltenberger.

"The programs we have are patchwork that have evolved over the years."

Yellowknife South MLA Brendan Bell suggested setting up a plan to cover all those people who currently have to pay the fee.

"That is one of the options we've been discussing," Miltenberger said, "as a way to close and address this gap."

Miltenberger said that, for now, the surcharge payment remains on the books.

"The department and authorities are still in the position of carrying out and following through implementing our policy."

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen wanted more information about the co-payment, asking what happens to people who can't afford to pay it.

"Will we hunt down to the ground somebody who owes us $250?" Miltenberger replied. "I know that follow-up on that type of recovery is modest at best."

Frame Lake MLA Charles Dent just wanted it stopped.

"The impact is mostly on poor, sick people," he said. "It's not fair," adding the government should end the policy "immediately."