Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have another motion. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Health implement measures to improve the flexibility and usefulness of the HIS system; review and modify procedures for completion of HIS system claim forms and code compatibility; and develop a single reporting format for HIS and CHMIS by April 1, 1994.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have recommendation 18. I would like to move that this committee recommends that the Department of Health improve registration tracking procedures to ensure that as people leave the Northwest Territories, their eligibility for territorial health insurance ceases.

Thank you. Your motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. Mr. Gargan.

I have just one comment with regard to this motion, Mr. Chairman. I would like to express that there are people whose health insurance ceases when they move from the Northwest Territories, but there are also people who move and still have an address here where their mail goes. So, it is as if they are still residing here when, in fact, they are not. I think there should be a double check to ensure that people who are actually being billed for medical services are actually residents of the north and not residents who are residing in the south.

Thank you. To the motion.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If the committee does not mind going back to recommendation 17, I would like to get clarification so there is no speculation. Recommendation 17 is not clear. It says, "The Department of Health implement measures to improve the flexibility and usefulness of the HIS system." What do they mean by "flexibility?"

A point of order, Mr. Zoe.

Point Of Order

Mr. Zoe, your point of order is correct. The motion was passed already, so no one can speak to the motion now. However, if the Minister wants clarification, you could give clarification. Ms. Mike.

Mr. Chairman, I am not opposing the motion, I am just asking for clarification so the department can understand what the intention of the motion is and what "flexibility" means. It is not clear to me.

Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With regard to this particular motion, you will note that on page 61 of the committee report, this is an area of the review that became quite complex with many acronyms and much data about computer systems. The feedback from the deputy minister of Government Services and Public Works and the NWT Medical Association supported the Auditor General's findings. The section which refers to the HIS system and the CHMIS system,

indicates both systems have definite flaws. It is difficult to extract information and there are limits on how the data reports can be designed. Generally, the Auditor General found that managers in the Department of Health are not using the information from these systems as well as they should be. This is probably because the systems are not adequate.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts was also concerned that procedures for entering claim data are incompatible and there may be a high error rate. As well, it was pointed out by the Auditor General that the two systems are unable to communicate with each other. Accordingly, it is impossible for health managers to obtain a single statistical report. This is a big drawback when it comes to planning activities.

This particular motion which was recommendation 17, will address these concerns. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Does that assist you, Ms. Mike?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Perhaps some other time I will seek clarification of that motion. Thank you.

The recommendation has been adopted. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Mr. Chairman, I have two motions with regard to reciprocal billings.