Inuvik (Feb 09/04) - A federal plan that had been deemed a "bureaucratic annoyance" for aboriginals has now been tossed out.

Health Canada finally decided to drop the aboriginal Non-Insured Health Benefits consent form, less than a month before it was set to take effect.

Federal Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew announced the decision to drop the mandatory forms on Feb. 4 after in-depth consultation with national aboriginal and Inuit groups.

Now the 706,000 aboriginal and Inuit people across Canada will not have to sign the controversial consent form to qualify for extended health care benefits like dental care, medical supplies, equipment and medical transportation.

Aboriginal groups were against the forms, saying they undermined their rights and freedoms.

The forms were originally meant to help stop the abuse of prescription drugs.

Jose Kusugak, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, was happy to see an end to the consent forms he battled so long to stop.

"The Inuit were going to be signing something they didn't understand at all," said Kusugak.

"I'm really, really thankful to the new health minister, Pierre Pettigrew, for stopping the consent program."

The forms would have taken affect March 1.

Verbal or written consent to view personal medical information will now only be required in individual situations where it is necessary to share private information to ensure the safety of the client, said Catherine Saunders, a Health Canada spokesperson.

NWT health minister Michael Miltenberger called the consent form "an issue of great contention."

He is happy to hear the federal government has been listening to aboriginal groups.

"I'm cautiously optimistic at this point," said Miltenberger from his Yellowknife office.

"It consumed a lot of time and energy and now we can focus on other issues," Miltenberger continued. "Now the federal government is showing how they can be proactive with aboriginal governments."

Health Canada will circulate a copy of the new privacy code to aboriginal and Inuit Canadians.

Nellie Cournoyea, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation chair, and Fred Carmichael, president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, were away on business and could not be reached for comment.