Thank you, Mr. Chair. So we've estimated that the cost of providing benefits to those that currently do not have benefits is about $2.5 million. We've estimated that the additional revenue that will come in from the co-payments by those that are deemed to pay them is $1.2 million. So the shortfall that we are incurring right now is approximately $1.3 million. However, there is work ongoing at the department, which has been ongoing for a couple years now, to bring down the cost of the benefits that we're providing under those programs most specifically related to drugs. There's been significant amount of work to enter into product listing agreements with drug manufacturers over the past few years. The work on those -- to get those rebates has been significant but at some point it's going to reach. We're going to max out because we'll have all of our agreements in place. So currently, in 2024-2025, we expect rebates of $3.2 million on that work, and which just kept us within our budget for the Extended Health Benefit Program. So the shortfall is $2.5 million, is what we're estimating, because at this point we would not be able to predict any future PLAs to a significant magnitude. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Jeannie Mathison on Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on June 4th, 2024. See this statement in context.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
June 4th, 2024
Page 690
Jeannie Mathison
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