RUNCIMAN SEEKS HELP FOR CANCER PATIENT
TORONTO - Leeds-Grenville
MPP Bob Runciman was surprised and disappointed
by the “cold response” of Health
Minister George Smitherman to his request that
the Ontario Government show compassion in deciding
whether or not to cover the medical costs of
a Brockville woman receiving cancer treatment
in the United States.
In the Legislature Thursday afternoon, Runciman
described why the family of 25-year-old Jennie
Kelsey took her to Vermont’s Fletcher
Allen Health Centre for lifesaving surgery after
being refused treatment in Ontario. Jenny weighed
less than 80 pounds and chemotherapy treatment
was not working when her mother decided to transport
her to Vermont for surgery.
Runciman presented Smitherman with a petition
bearing hundreds of names of citizens asking
the Health Minister to intervene and ensure
Jennie Kelsey and her family will be treated
fairly by OHIP.
“Instead of saying he would look into
the matter and see if there was any way funding
relief could be provided to the family, the
Health Minister rejected the request outright,”
said Runciman.
Later, he was heartened when Smitherman approached
him after question period and said his office
would assist the Kelsey family in preparing
an appeal of the OHIP decision.
Jennie Kelsey was diagnosed with ovarian cancer
in February of last year. She did not respond
to the treatment offered by doctors in Kingston
and her family was told that surgery was “too
risky” and that success with the surgery
in Canada was limited.
Doctors in Vermont, after reviewing her medical
files, operated on Jennie last summer. Since
then she has regained 40 pounds and her condition
steadily improves. Every month she returns to
Vermont for follow-up treatment.
When bills for the surgery and hospital stay
were forwarded to OHIP they were rejected because
prior approval had not been sought and that
the surgery was not recommended by Ontario doctors.
Runciman admits normal procedures were not
followed but Jennie was days from death when
her family rushed her to Vermont and doctors
in Ontario had already told them they would
not support an application for the surgery.
Nor will they support an appeal of the OHIP
decision.
Runciman said he was upset when Liberal government
members applauded Smitherman’s first response
that basically said he could not take action
because rules were rules.
“I am pleased that the Health Minister
will assist this family in preparing for an
appeal,” said Runciman. “This surgery
was a matter of life and death, not an attempt
to circumvent the rules.”
Media Contact:
Bob Runciman, MPP
1-416-325-1522
1-613-342-9522
