The existing program is exclusive, unfair, and it does not address the needs of vulnerable people because we have no provision under the Supplementary Health Benefits to provide for those whose income is too high to qualify under indigent supplementary health benefits programs but too low to be able to buy some of the health benefits that they require, and they’re not old

enough to qualify under seniors benefits. The new proposed package is much more fair and equitable because it opens access to supplementary health to everyone, 100 percent of non-aboriginal people.

The Member says somebody is going to suffer financial hardship. Our income threshold is so high that it would be... Everyone, even at $200,000-plus, you would still get 45 percent coverage. I have to tell you, there is no other program in the country that will provide supplementary health benefits to those with an income over $200,000. In any other jurisdiction if your income is $200,000, you cannot access anything like that with the government. That’s why our program is fair.