SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
MLAs have approved millions in additional spending related to out-of-territory health care and medical travel as costs and use of programs rise, according to the Health and Social Services department.

The GNWT has been approved to spend an extra $14 million on out-of-territory related health care and medical travel. - NNSL file photo

Legislators at the end of February approved providing the department an extra $14.329 million for the remainder of the 2015-16 fiscal year, which ends March 31. For one of the programs, the extra money is 38 per cent of what had previously been budgeted.

It comes as the government warns it needs to cut tens of millions in spending, although this increase represents a small addition to health and social services spending.

The health department represents almost a quarter of the 2015-16 GNWT's $1.6 billion budget, at $408.5 million.

According to documents tabled in the assembly, the new money is for medical travel, out of territories physicians and for costs related to the care of adults and children in southern medical facilities.

Yellowknifer requested an interview Feb. 26 with the department about the spending. No interview was granted.

In an e-mail, health department spokesperson Damien Healy wrote the money was required because of increases in the cost of the services and the number of people using those services. No numbers were provided.

Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne said the rising costs aren't uncommon in the health field.

"When you're dealing with health care, it's difficult to plan down to the exact dollar," Vanthuyne said. "It's hit or miss how much you'll have to fly people around or bring in doctors."

The department was given an extra $1.3 million for medical travel on top of its budgeted $36.9 million.

The medical travel program covers costs related to transporting someone for necessary health care not available in their community.

Increased costs related to adults and children in care in southern facilities saw the department request $6.737 million. That's on top of the $17.6 million originally budgeted.

The final request was for $5.457 million for the out-of-territories hospital program because of a funding shortfall. Originally the GNWT planned to spend $19.123 million on the program.

As well, the government sought $835,000 more for its out-of-territory physicians program, on top of the $5.333 million budgeted.