The Standing Committee on Social Development has requested that the Minister of Health and Social Services indefinitely pause implementing changes to the Extended Health Benefits Program.
The committee states that this pause would provide additional time to gather financial data and to consult with the federal Minister of Health about its potential support of Pharmacare Act for the Government of the Northwest Territories’ programs.
Minister Semmler says the policy revisions will be phased in over time and ensure that NWT has become more fully aligned with other jurisdictions across Canada. It can now better take advantage of current and anticipated federal programs such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan, Pharmacare Act, and pharmaceutical cost savings.
In the initial phase of Canada’s Pharmacare Act, the Canadian government will collaborate with provinces and territories to offer universal, single-payer coverage for various contraceptives and diabetes medications. The Canadian Dental Care Plan is expanding in phases. Starting from May 1, the program has begun covering seniors aged 70 plus. Applications are now open for individuals between 65 and 69. Over the next five years, this public dental insurance initiative aims to eventually provide coverage to a quarter of Canadians who do not have private dental plans.
“Leaving those 2,200 residents – many of whom are low-income – to go without extended health benefits coverage is not something I’m prepared to do. It is unfortunate and disheartening that the people who need these benefits the most, and who this new policy is designed to help, seem to have been forgotten in much of this discussion,” says Minister Semmler, emphasizing the importance of addressing barriers to preventative care and early medical intervention, which can reduce health care costs later in life.
The committee wants more information on how different program options affect the government’s finances. For example, they want to know how much money will be saved by putting in place income testing, what will happen if income testing is removed while current benefit levels are kept the same, what will happen if income testing is removed and benefit levels are raised, and how other changes that are being thought about will affect the government’s finances. The committee has yet to receive concrete cost-benefit analysis data from the department regarding these modifications.
Semmler says that using tools such as income testing as part of the renewed program helps the government ensure that those who need the most support get it based on their financial situation. This doesn’t just keep the system equitable; it also helps keep it sustainable. Income thresholds will be set at the ministerial level, not set in policy, to allow for consistent review and flexibility. As minister, Semmler says she is committed to reviewing the program on an ongoing basis once they have collected some reliable data.
Deputy Chair, MLA George Nerysoo added that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the financial implications and consistent and transparent public communication is necessary. Pausing the rollout will allow the government to collect the required data and effectively collaborate with federal health authorities.
The committee says there is a discrepancy between the caps discussed during the April 19, 2024, technical briefing and those applied to the department’s public online calculator tool. The committee is concerned about the advantages for the department of modifying the program compared to the costs of meeting residents’ medical needs.
