Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned yesterday in the House, I rise today to announce interim changes to the medical travel policy. Mr. Speaker, over the last year during sessions of this Assembly many Members have raised their concerns with this government's medical travel policy and supplementary benefit programs.
During the winter session I made a commitment to come before this House to describe what actions the government will take. We all know it is a reality that from time to time people must travel in order to access medical care. This is particularly true for northern regions and jurisdictions in Canada, as travel often involves great distances requiring air travel.
Mr. Speaker, the current medical travel policy is not perfect. The many concerns expressed by this House and public demonstrate that this policy has gaps. There is a need to address some of these gaps on an interim basis until a comprehensive review of supplementary health benefits has been completed over the next several months.
I am, therefore, pleased to announce, Mr. Speaker, the following changes to the medical travel policy. The medical travel co-payment will not be collected for a patient during medical travel either within the Northwest Territories or to a southern destination if the patient's family's income is less than $80,000 and the patient or the family with income of less than $80,000 will also be provided the same benefits for accommodation and meals as currently offered under schedule 3 of the policy.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, under the medical travel policy there is no provision to provide meals and accommodation assistance to patients who travel south for treatment. Now, those families earning more than $80,000 will be eligible to receive an accommodation allowance of $50 per day and a meal allowance of $18 per day.
Mr. Speaker, these interim measures apply to individuals who do not have third-party insurance coverage. It will reduce the financial burden which families experience when they must travel to receive insured health services.
These changes will be implemented immediately, Mr. Speaker, and will remain in effect until a review of the supplementary health benefits is completed. We will be advising the public, health professionals and administration within the Health and Social Services system of these changes to ensure that those requiring medical travel have this coverage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause