WINNIPEG — A Manitoba man who faces a medical bill of almost $120,000 for emergency surgery in the United States may be getting some help from the provincial government.
Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says he is hoping to directly address the issue with Robin Milne, who lives in Sprague near the U.S. border.
Milne had a heart attack in October and sought health care in Minnesota under an agreement between hospitals in that state and Manitoba Health.
He needed emergency surgery and an air ambulance from Winnipeg wasn't going to make it in time, so doctors flew him to Grand Forks, N.D., which is not covered by the agreement.
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.
