Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a matter of fact, I have had a similar concern raised to me by a constituent in a very similar circumstance where they have a chronic illness that requires expensive medication and prescriptions to be purchased each month. The Member is correct. When the extended health benefit covers 100 percent of the prescription costs, then this is direct-billed to the government. Where it is shared and there is co-payment from the constituent's insurance coverage, which may be through their employer, then the constituent is expected to pick up the 20 or 30 percent out of their own pocket and be reimbursed for that. The good news is that under the extended health benefits program, someone with a chronic illness can be reimbursed 100 percent.
As to why the 20 or 30 percent residual amount cannot be direct billed to the government, I am not sure of the reasons for that and I do know that there is a delay period whereby the constituent is out of pocket for this. I would certainly be willing to look at ways, if it is possible, for this to be addressed and if not, if there would be ways of expediting reimbursement payments to constituents. Thank you.