Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Member is right that some of the changes in the federal government programs and policies have impacted the non-insured health benefits program and have made the program more difficult to manage, both administratively and financially.
Discussions are ongoing, however, with Health Canada to resolve issues such as disputed claims. The Member mentions the dental services. With the change in the program with the federal government, it has made the processing of applications and approvals for work and payments, time consuming and cumbersome. What we can do as a department is continue to work with the federal government to raise these issues on behalf of northern constituents.
I do agree with the Member that recent changes have created significant issues for Northwest Territories residents. We look forward to the resolution of these problems but the discussions are ongoing at this time. Thank you.