Women who fought for out-of-province care worry about fate of auditor general report
Crystal Ellingsen and Jennifer Brady thought their battle with the government of Nova Scotia had come to an end last year. However, they are once again raising their voices to continue the fight for better healthcare access for all Nova Scotians. Both women suffer from debilitating chronic illnesses that could not be treated in Nova Scotia. They were denied coverage for out-of-province care and ended up paying tens of thousands of dollars each for medical treatment in other provinces and around the globe.
After filing for a judicial review against Nova Scotia’s Health Department in 2022, a judge ruled in their favor in 2024. The judge stated that the province violated their rights by refusing to cover their procedures. This groundbreaking decision led to an apology from Premier Tim Houston, who promised to reimburse the women’s expenses and pay for future treatment. He also requested the auditor general to review the circumstances that led to Brady and Ellingsen’s legal case and to conduct a broad review of how all cases of out-of-province medical care are handled.
Several months later, Houston is proposing changes that would grant the government greater power over the auditor general. This proposal has Ellingsen and Brady concerned about the fate of the audit that was requested by Houston. They fear that the changes could erode the ability of the auditor general to do her work effectively.
The bill tabled by Houston would allow the government to fire the auditor general without cause with the support of two-thirds of the MLAs in the House. It would also give the justice minister the power to redact parts of auditor general reports and allow cabinet to keep reports private. Ellingsen and Brady believe that these changes could hinder transparency and accountability in the healthcare system.
Auditor General Kim Adair has raised concerns about the proposed changes, stating that they would compromise the integrity and independence of her office. She has asked the province to scrap the bill, but Finance Minister John Lohr has dismissed her concerns.
Ellingsen and Brady are speaking up not just for themselves but for all Nova Scotians who may benefit from systemic changes in the healthcare system. They believe that a thorough review of out-of-province medical care that is made public could lead to positive changes for all residents of the province.
As the Progressive Conservatives move forward with the bill, Ellingsen and Brady hope that the government will reconsider and repeal it. They remain committed to fighting for better healthcare access for all Nova Scotians and ensuring that the promises made by Premier Houston are upheld.
