P.E.I. to review seniors' health care, 'achieve greater efficiencies'

The P.E.I. government is commissioning a review of health care services provided to Island seniors.

In a request for proposals issued by the Department of Health and Wellness, the provincesays by the year 2020 the proportion of Islanders aged 65 and older is expected to exceed 21 per cent, where today it stands at 18.5 per cent.

"It is recognized that availability of personal care homes and long-term care facilities cannot keep pace with the increase in senior population and their evolving care needs," the requeststates.

It calls for a comprehensive review of services for seniors offered by both government and the private sector.

'We already pay for this'

One thing the leader of the New Democrats on P.E.I. saidhe hopes will change is who pays for health care services.

There are so many fees now that Islandersparticularly seniorsare required to pay,it's turned medicare on P.E.I. into a "user-pay" system, said Mike Redmond.

On Tuesday, Redmond issued a media release citing three examples of fees he said Islanders seniors were forced to pay, but couldn't afford.

Theyrangedfrom a$20 wart removalfee to$1,185 for prescription drugs before the province's catastrophic drug programkicks in. Anotherfamily,Redmond said,received a bill from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for more than $3,000 for a hospital stay for a senior waiting to be placed in a long-term care facility.

"Who's made this decision to charge people for a health care system?" Redmondasked. "We already pay for this."

"Times are very, very difficult. The cost of food and everything else is going up, and then to have out-of-pocket expenses like this that are really unforeseen is troubling."

Because of the costofthings such as prescription drugs and home care, seniors are often forced to make difficult choices, agrees thePEI Senior Citizens'Federation.

"It's kind of sad at times you know, to hear people saying 'Well, do I heat my house or get my drugs?'" saidJohn Kenny,the federation's past president.

"Then when they're neglected they don't get their drugs and then they're in the hospital and then it's costing a lot of money," saidKenny.

Seniors should have some say in whatever policy changes might result from the review government is planning, Kenny added.

'More efficient approach'to care

The government's request for proposals mentions the need to identify "system-wide improvements that will define a more efficient approach" in the delivery of seniors' care, while improving quality and access to programs.It calls for "new ways of co-operation" between the public and private sector.

A more efficient health care system would be welcomed by Redmond, as long as it's one where users especially seniors are no longer required to pay for services.

"There comes a point in everyone's life where they've paid enough taxes already."

Replies for the tender will beaccepteduntil Jan. 29, and those proposals will be evaluated by Feb. 12. The final report is to be submitted by the end of August.