Total grants and contributions, $97.651.

We'll move on to 6-21, supplementary health programs, budget summary, operations expense, total operations expense, $14.2 million.

We'll move on to 6-23, supplementary health programs, grants and contributions, contributions, total contributions, $9.849 million.

Mrs. Groenewegen.

Mr. Chairman, I had a question under grants and contributions under the item that was just approved. Am I allowed to ask a question on that?

Does the committee agree?

Agreed. Go ahead, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today in the House, the Minister was questioned on how much money it costs us to recover the co-payment under the medical travel, and that will be an interesting response. I will look forward to that. First of all let's just ask, in a case where the patient does not have the means to pay, is there any provision for financing that $250 co-payment on a temporary basis for people who don't have the cash on hand? Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, if it's a case of financial hardship, then we have the Indigent Health Benefit Program that is set up to help people in that circumstance. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So the indigent health benefit, I understand that that would be for people on income support and people who could prove that they didn't have sufficient income. What about people who just don't have the money saved up or the cash, but may have the ability to pay if they were given some time or some terms under which to do that? Is there provision for that?

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, currently there's capacity and processes in place to bill back people and to arrange payment with them, the key point being that medical travel is not denied. We will work out the keys to get the client to the service, and we have those particular options available. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well I think that is a good thing, and I'm sure that will also factor into the costs of whatever efforts the government has to take to collect that co-payment. I was just wondering, in the case where the government is unsuccessful in recovering that money, that credit that may be extended to a patient, is it treated as any other type of debt owed to the government whereby if at some time in the future that same person were applying for some other form of government assistance, that that would be denied until such time as that debt was cleared up. I just want to know how strict they are in the recovery process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My understanding is that it would follow the normal government process of write-offs and forgiveness over the years that it takes to do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So say in the unfortunate circumstance where somebody, a single parent is working but not earning very much money and is faced with the unfortunate circumstance of a child, for example, being sick and having to make several trips to Yellowknife or Edmonton and being assisted with that. Then at some time in the future, that same patient applies for student financial assistance for upgrading or something of that nature. I just want to know if that debt would then preclude them from other forms of government assistance or funding at some time in the future. Thank you.