REGINA – A group of cancer survivors, health care professionals and other supporters are petitioning the government to make breast prosthetics covered under the Saskatchewan health benefits program.
They had a private meeting with the Health Minister Tuesday afternoon and presented a petition with more than 2000 signatures.
Debbie Koptie was diagnosed with breast cancer two-and-a-half years ago and underwent a mastectomy. Re-constructive surgery is not an option for her due to medical concerns, so she wears breast prosthetics.
“It brings your shoulders back, you’re whole body is carried, you’ve got your balance. Without a prosthetic, you could eventually end up with a lot of health problems down the road,” said Debbie Koptie.
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In Saskatchewan, only low-income residents who qualify for social assistance and women with private insurance are eligible to get their breast prosthetics covered.
“Benefits are considered on a periodic basis and any enhancement to benefits would be considered within budgetary constraints and any other health system priorities,” said Kevin Wilson, executive director with the Saskatchewan health ministry.
Most provinces provide some sort of reimbursement for breast prosthetics, but the hope is that Saskatchewan will one day offer full coverage.
“That’s why we think Saskatchewan can be a leader when it comes to the health plan and cover these prosthetics to show other provinces that it can be done,” said Koptie.
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