‘Better coverage’ needed in Nunavut, federal health minister says
Mark Holland says Nunavut health minister addressed Non-Insured Health Benefits Program shortfall in meetings
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland speaks in Iqaluit Tuesday. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland acknowledged Tuesday the need for “better coverage” in Nunavut over what his territorial counterpart has called a shortfall in Non-Insured Health Benefits Program funding.
Holland, who came to Iqaluit to announce two agreements to improve health care and elder care in the territory, told reporters that Nunavut Health Minister John Main raised his concerns over the federal program with him in their meetings.
“Minister Main talks to me regularly about all the issues that are being faced here in Nunavut, and I have to say, the Non-Insured Health Benefit is no exception,” Holland said.
“I think it was at least on two separate occasions today that Minister Main leaned in hard on the point that there needs to be better coverage, and that there’s concern.”
Main rose at the beginning of the current Nunavut legislative assembly sitting to address what he said is a shortfall in federal funding for the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
That program, funded by Indigenous Services Canada, pays for health-care costs not covered by Nunavut’s own health-care program. They include vision and dental care, mental health counselling, medical supplies and equipment, medications and medical travel.
In the legislative assembly, Main projected the Government of Nunavut will have to subsidize the program by $25 million this year alone.
Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has also called out the federal government to better support the program.
“Making sure — whether or not it’s in dental care or it’s in medication — that folks get the care they need is something that we’re squarely focused on,” Holland said Tuesday.
“I want to thank Minister Main for really highlighting what the needs and challenges here are in Nunavut and that’s something that I’m committed to working with him on.”
Main said talks between the GN and Ottawa over the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program continue.
However, when asked by a reporter about the program, Main instead focused on the $35.6 million deals he and Holland had announced.
The two agreements include funding to support health-care worker training and expanding primary care in Nunavut.
“Our work with Indigenous Services Canada continues in terms of trying to secure a contribution agreement for the current fiscal year as well as upcoming fiscal years,” Main said.
“The purpose of the announcement here today and Minister Holland’s visit was around the two bilateral agreements that we’ve signed. And regardless of what happens with the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program — now or in the future — there’s no question that these additional funds are going to benefit health care in Nunavut.”
First we train the few who earn an academic high school graduation.
Then we require them south to get work experience, because we don’t hire healthcare workers without experience.
Then we expect them to come back home and share a room in their parents’ house with their younger siblings.
Main: “I need you to go out there and tell them how aggressively i’ve been with you on NIHB”.
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Holland: “Okay but we are not covering 100%”
I cannot even make an appointment for new prescription. Even when I told the lady taking appointments that my left eye was scarred, which made me blind in the left eye. She said there are other people who need eye glasses too. I said to her, these people won’t even wear them when they get their eye glasses. I was denied appointment. Only when the eye team left, I was able to make appointment with the health center for my eyes. The nurse asked me why didn’t you make an appointment with the eye team? They were just here. I told her the whole bloody story. Some people work in places they shouldn’t. Some people got jobs they didn’t deserve. I always have to order in my own eye glasses. It’s expensive. I don’t know what my pupilatory distance is, but I’m happy there are private companies that make eye glasses for patients when you give old prescription paper.
People think Inuit from nunavut receives free handouts. If that were the case, why don’t we see Inuit paying rent and power? Why are there many people, kids going school hungry? Adults skipping meals so kids can eat more? Inuit don’t have money to buy their own house. Yet alone snowmobiles, atvs,boats. Even in the big leagues, Inuit are paid less. The people that live in Alaska are well taken care of. Unlike any other place I heard of. It doesn’t matter what race you are in alaska. How old you are. Young and old. They receive payments from the government. Just for being Alaskan. They get money. I’ve been there myself and boy did I wanna move there. I could make a living there much better than nunavut. Why aren’t GN doing this for nunavummiut? Is it because they are pocketing the money themselves or their family? The answer better not be because the money is used on infrastructure. They are already far behind on that.