Manitoba may help man after all with $118K medical bill: health minister

Goertzen said earlier this week that he couldn’t write Milne a cheque, because he doesn’t have the authority to make payments not authorized in legislation.

He says he’s still trying to sort out Milne’s case, but needs Milne’s permission to get access to his medical records.

“We are reviewing Mr. Milne’s situation,” Goertzen said Friday. “I do need to speak to Altru because they were asking for the flight. I’m still seeking permission from Mr. Milne to speak to them on his behalf.”

Altru is the name of the agreement whereby Manitobans in the southeast corner of the province are able to go across the border for urgent care.

Goertzen has ordered a review into the three-page agreement.

“There’s no dispute mechanism. There’s no appeal mechanism within the agreement,” he said. “It doesn’t specify which services particularly are available. It doesn’t specify who is actually covered under the agreement.”

The NDP Opposition has said the case demonstrates the need for Manitoba to expand the program.

Milne has said the decision to transfer him to the North Dakota hospital came after he waited 90 minutes to be transferred to a Winnipeg hospital.

He said the province should cover the hefty bill, because it was a matter of life or death.

NDP health critic Matt Wiebe has said the decision was made my medical professionals and it’s not like Milne had any say in the matter.

(CJOB, The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Manitoba may help man after all with $118K medical bill: health minister

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