Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an issue with regard to medical travel. The issue I would like to bring to light, Mr. Speaker, is the issue of public awareness with regard to programs and services offered by the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, we are all aware that at the time of initial diagnosis of a potential disease, or during a period of severe illness, patients are extremely anxious and uncertain. They are unsure of exactly what the diagnosis or illness entails. Mr. Speaker, very often, patients are just referred for medical travel without a thorough explanation of exactly what will transpire, never mind the impact of the potential costs involved.
Mr. Speaker, there are many assumptions made by the Department of Health and Social Services that people will just naturally have an understanding of everything involved when they have to travel for medical reasons or access a program or service offered by the Department of Health and Social Services.
I would like to state, Mr. Speaker, that the pamphlets, publications and brochures distributed by the Department of Health and Social Services are very well done. Of particular note is the seniors' handbook, which was produced in 2001.
However, Mr. Speaker, while these brochures and pamphlets are well done, there is no mention of a co-payment in any of these brochures. Many people are required to pay the co-payment of $250 when they travel for medical reasons. The co-payment of $250 is very cost prohibitive for a number of people.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the Department of Health and Social Services and their myriad of employees need to take a step back and simply view things from a user perspective. It is very simple, Mr. Speaker, for health care employees to recite policy over and over to people. It must be realized that these patients are distressed in many instances. A little information goes a long way.
Mr. Speaker, I would hate to think that a badly needed medical procedure would be passed over by a patient due to the fact that they were ill-informed, or worse yet, that the co-payment was too much of a financial burden for them.
Mr. Speaker, with all of the talk of the upcoming implementation of the department's action plan, it is my sincere hope that departmental officials have spent long hours discussing the best ways to get the pertinent information out to the people who require it the most, that being the patients.
Mr. Speaker, I feel strongly that...