NSNDP

April 10th, 2019

Martin: Patients shouldn’t have to go to the media to get the health care they need

SYDNEY - Tammy Martin, NDP Health and Wellness Spokesperson, will introduce Steven Saunders and his daughter Hailey MacDonald at the Provincial legislature today. Saunders recently won his fight with the province to receive cancer treatment outside of Nova Scotia.

“My office was able to help Steven and his family during this difficult time and I am pleased that he got the treatment he needed,” said Martin. “Patients should not have to go to the media to pressure the government to fund the health care that’s recommended by their doctors. Steven’s case shows that we need to review the policies around out-of-province health care treatment and experimental treatments.”

Saunders’ was diagnosed with Stage 4 Follicular Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in November 2015. He went through several rounds of chemotherapy but in 2018 was told the only remaining treatment option was CAR T-cell treatment, available in Boston. He was initially told he would not be covered for this treatment, a decision that was later said to be an error. His friends and family started a letter writing campaign and went to the media with their story. Saunders completed successful treatment in Boston in March 2019.

“The stress and anxiety that is put on patients and their families due to the process for being approved for out-of-province treatment is intense,” said Saunders. “I worry about the people who do not have anyone to advocate for them. People shouldn’t have to worry about fighting the provincial government at the same time that they’re fighting major illnesses.”

The NDP brought in the existing out-of-province travel support program in 2010.

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