Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very clearly, the policy is there to be followed. I do not believe that in any case, our patients and residents have been denied any kind of critical medical treatment, but the policy is there to be followed. There are probably some exceptions. Are there specific exceptions? I would have to get the Member to give me the specific instances and we would have to look at that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister inform us what level of involvement private citizens have had as stakeholders in the current review of the action plan being administered by the department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the action plan is based on about eight to ten years of work of consultants, special committees, Ministers' forums, where there were thousands of people interviewed and recommendations made. It is also based on input from the health boards and authorities, the department itself and various other stakeholders within the Northwest Territories.

The action plan that was developed had significant input. We are also ensuring, through the new structures, policies and approaches with the health boards and authorities, that the department and the authorities and the communities they represent are at the table. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister may have alluded to this before, but would the Minister commit to reviewing the current brochures produced by the Department of Health and Social Services, in view of having more information disseminated to the public? Specifically in the area of co-payments for patients having to travel outside of their home communities for medical travel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Member for his perception, observations and suggestions. Yes, we will definitely consider and deal with the issue he has identified as a gap as we look at the overall supplementary health care programs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services as well. It is about third-party insurance. I am wondering if there is any reason why this government cannot set up a scheme to act as a third-party insurer for people who are not eligible under any other plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I and the department are prepared to look at any options that would improve health care services to all of our people and eliminate any gaps or barriers that may be there, perceived or otherwise. Is there a particular impediment? I am willing to look at anything that the Member, the Social Programs Committee or this Legislature would suggest as we look at this particular component of the health care system. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that the Minister is willing to look at that, because I believe we are already a third-party insurer. If you look at the example of the Metis Health Benefits Policy. That is a perfect example, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister agree that we are already in the business of providing third-party insurance in some cases? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would agree that we provide services to all people in the Northwest Territories in one form or another, and that the issue my colleague raised is one I am committed to look at. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess what I am saying is, rather than having different policies to cover Metis, seniors, children under two, the indigent, I am hoping this Minister would look at one policy that would provide health benefits assistance to residents who do not qualify. Would the Minister look at amalgamating these programs and expanding them to include everybody? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very clearly, the intent of this review is to come up with a better way of providing this service. I look forward to the results of the committee doing the work, the working group doing this review, and what they bring back.

My colleague has raised some very important points. As we speak, we all know there are officials in the department making note of the concerns. As well, we will be looking at Hansard to make sure we have all of the concerns correctly. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just quickly, I am wondering if the Minister can tell us when we can expect the results of this review? Thank you.