A local brain tumour survivor is now fighting for policy reform after being denied financial support when she was required to access out-of-province healthcare.  

Late last year, Tammy O’Brien needed to go to Edmonton for lifesaving, specialized brain cancer treatment, as it wasn’t available in the province. Upon returning to Saskatchewan, she wrote to the Ministry of Health, requesting that she be reimbursed for her travel and accommodation costs. O’Brien says she received a reply from Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill that stated the government does not cover any expenses of this nature, even though it offers up to $1,500 to mammogram patients who need to be sent to Calgary.

“I immediately knew it was a lie, and they have not responded to me since.”

O’Brien says her bill was $854.26, a tab that should be relatively easy for the government to pick up. 

“I’ve worked since I was 15, paid taxes, lived here all my life, and clearly took things for granted that if I needed help, I would get it,” she explains. “I’m still paying taxes, and for them to tell me no for $854, it’s incomprehensible to me.”

She is now launching a petition, collecting signatures from those who believe out-of-province travel and accommodation expenses for healthcare purposes should be covered. 

“I’m kind of fighting for the principal now. I’ve been there. I’ve had my procedure, and it’s paid for, but I’m asking the government to help people that can’t afford the travel and might die as a result of not being able to get treatment out of province.”

She will be presenting her petition in the legislature alongside the Opposition NDP in March once she has enough signatures collected.

A written statement from the Ministry of Health indicates that it “does not cover costs associated with travel, accommodations, or meals, except in limited programs, such as for pediatric patients under the age of 16, who need a parent or guardian to accompany them out-of-province, and for eligible patients to receive breast cancer diagnostic services in Calgary. While the Ministry of Health does not reimburse for travel, accommodation or meals, in certain circumstances, the Canada Revenue Agency may allow these expenses to be claimed as tax deductions under the Income Tax Act. There are also a number of community organizations throughout Saskatchewan that may offer assistance to individuals and families in similar situations who may require travel for care, such as Hope Air and the Kinsmen Foundation.”