These staggering out-of-province numbers were revealed by the Health Minister during a legislative committee meeting earlier this month.
“This is not just bad planning – it’s a healthcare failure,” said Brittney Senger, Shadow Minister for the Status of Women. “The Sask. Party’s Calgary mammogram scheme is failing women, and they know it.
“When you are referred for diagnostic procedures, you are staring down a potential cancer diagnosis. Many of these women are sick and scared and deserve so much better.
“The Sask. Party is gambling with women’s health – and women are paying the price.”
The private clinic in Calgary charges the government $2,000 per patient and the Health Minister admitted at committee that these procedures cost much less in the public system. The government’s own website shows that mammograms can cost as little as $135.60 in our public healthcare system.
To date, this private clinic with Sask. Party connections stands to make more than $1 million from their exclusive sole-source contract.
“It is inexcusable that so many women in Saskatchewan are falling through the cracks,” said Vicki Mowat, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Health Minister. “You shouldn’t have to leave the province and pay out of pocket for something as important as breast cancer care.”
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