WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition has called a motion to debate on Opposition Members’ day urging the government to make necessary changes to Yukon’s Medical Travel program. This will be the very first motion debated in the Legislature following the Liberals’ third Speech from the Throne.

The wording of the motion is as follows:

THAT this House urges the government to recognize the needs of Yukon citizens by taking steps to enhance and modernize supports provided under the Medical Travel program, including:

1) amending the Travel for Medical Treatment Act to increase flexibility and reduce wait times;

2) increasing per diems for travel Outside from the current rate of $75 per day, after consulting with the public as part of determining an appropriate new level;

3) increasing per diems for travel inside the Yukon from the current rate of $75 per day, after consulting with the public as part of determining an appropriate new level;

4) increasing the subsidy for non-emergency medical travel within the Yukon from its current level of 30 cents per kilometre, and consult with the public as part of setting the new rate.

5) amending the regulations to add “Kelowna and Victoria” to the list of cities covered by the regulations under the Travel for Medical Treatment Act;

6) reviewing the provisions pertaining to escorts for medical travel;

7) improving administrative coordination to make it easier for people in Rural Yukon to schedule several appointments in Whitehorse for the same trip, rather than having to travel multiple times for appointments;

8) reviewing the provisions under “Travel to benefit others” to determine whether they are adequately assisting people who donate an organ to someone else; and

9) ensuring that following a medevac for treatment Outside the Yukon, Yukoners whose travel may be covered by the federal government are automatically able to return home with the assistance of our medical travel program, and leave the issue of cost for the two governments to deal with later.

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Contact:
Madison Pearson
Communications
(867) 393-7026