What there is clear evidence of is that the authorities have been grossly underfunded for a number of years, and I think that’s a large piece of the deficit that’s been allowed to build up. The reason is because they’ve been underfunded. I’m wondering what steps the Minister can take. Obviously, I don’t think that’s been addressed in this budget, but they need to be funded to a more appropriate level and how are we addressing that? I guess that’s the question I’ll leave the Minister with. I know my time is up. Thank you.
Debates of Feb. 8th, 2011
This is page numbers 5663 - 5700 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.
Topics
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Sandy Lee Range Lake
We are working toward right sizing the budget for the eight authorities and we will be making recommendations on how we do that going forward. I do take the Member’s point and appreciate it. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair Glen Abernethy
Thank you, Minister Lee. The next person on my list for 8-21 is Ms. Bisaro.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’d forgotten what I wanted to ask but I did remember. I just wanted clarification on Mr. Bromley’s question to the cost of physician services. The Minister mentioned that on page 8-21 it was physicians inside and outside the NWT, which is, give or take, $47 million, but on page 8-22 there are hospital services for $79 million and physician services to residents for almost $38 million. Both reference physicians, one in hospitals and one not. Is it $47 million for physicians or is it more like the $117 million that’s on page 8-22? Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Elkin
Thank you. The larger number on page 8-21 is the full cost which includes clinic costs as well as we do have some fee-for-service physicians in the NWT. Whereas the number on the other page is the salary...(inaudible)...contributions to the authorities. There are some clinic costs and some fee-for-services, as well, for the difference.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
I’m sorry. That didn’t really help. Maybe I should ask the question what do physicians, an approximation of the number that physicians cost us on an annual basis. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Then what are the numbers on page 8-22 for? The $79.041 million and the $37.928 million? Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Elkin
On page 8-22 is just the contributions to the authorities, which is for the $37 million for their salaried positions. The $41 million on page 8-21 also includes fee-for-service payments, which are paid directly by the department and not by the authorities.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair Glen Abernethy
Thank you, Mr. Elkin. We’re on page 8-21. I have nobody else on my list. Page 8-21, Health and Social Services, activity summary, health services programs, operations expenditures. Mr. Bromley.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m just about there, but I don’t think things were clear yet on that last question and I’m interested in that too. The $79 million provided to hospital services for primary and secondary emergency care by physicians in hospitals is obviously much greater than the $47 million referred to on page 8-21. I would just like to get clarification on whether that $79 million is for physician services or not, including or excluding fee-for-service. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Sandy Lee Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think I’m going to have to do a better breakdown and get back to you, but the hospital block funding includes doctors working in those health centres and other services we provide. I’m going to get Mr. Elkin to explain.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Elkin
The $79 million is just for the operating costs, including nursing staff, excluding physicians, for Inuvik, Stanton, Fort Smith and Hay River. It does not include any physician costs in that $79 million for hospitals. The physicians are in the physician line below, which is the $37 million. And health centres, the $27 million would just be the community health centres in each region and no physicians.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bob Bromley Weledeh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just suggested the wording needs correction there because it says very explicitly for primary, secondary and emergency care provided by physicians, and now I am understanding that is for other operating costs and nurses. If that is correct and the Minister can agree to that, I am clarified. Thank you.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair Glen Abernethy
Thank you, Minister Lee. Mr. Bromley, any further questions? Okay, we are on page 8-21, Health and Social Services, activity summary, health services programs, operations expenditure summary, $188.658 million. Agreed?
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair Glen Abernethy
So we will turn back to page 8-25 and next on my list for 8-25 was Mr. Menicoche.