Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Medical travel continues to place growing financial pressures on the healthcare system. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
The Department of Health and Social Services recently released its report on medical travel services. The report indicates the overall cost of medical travel has continued to increase over the past three years. Can the Minister outline what specific factors are driving the cost increases year after year?
Can the Minister provide a general breakdown of the annual medical travel budget into major cost categories such as flights, accommodations, escorts, and administrative processing so the public can understand where the program is coming under financial strain?
Does the department track cases where residents travel for medical purposes without prior approval; and, if so, how many such cases occurred in the last fiscal year?
How many medical travel requests, both scheduled and emergency, were submitted in the last fiscal year, and how does that compare to the average volume over the previous five years?
Can the Minister provide the number and percentage of medical travel requests denied last fiscal year, along with the top categories of reasons for denial?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Written Questions. Member from Range Lake.
