Province to provide financial help to parents requiring care for kids outside Sask.

The Government of Saskatchewan says it will offer financial assistance to families when they need to leave the province to get health care for their children.

The move comes after Kaitlyn Soron and her husband raised concerns at the Legislative Building in Regina last month. The Saskatoon family was forced to travel to Toronto to see a pediatric gastroenterologist, and said the costs of travel and accommodations added up to thousands of dollars. While the provincial government paid for the cost of the care, it didn’t reimburse them for their travel expenses.

The government changed its tune on Wednesday.

“The province will reimburse transportation and accommodation expenses for pediatric patients aged 16 and younger, along with a caregiver, effective retroactively to the beginning of the fiscal year April 1, 2024,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

“Similar to any medical treatment sought outside of the province, prior approval must be obtained from the Ministry of Health before travel.”

Expenses covered by the government will include the cost of transportation, lodging and meals up to $2,000 per trip. For the coverage to be approved, the travel must be for a surgical or diagnostic service that isn’t offered in Saskatchewan, and the specialist or surgeon must indicate the expected length of the stay required for treatment.

Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan’s health minister, said the government understands the difficulties parents like the Sorons are facing.

“We understand the challenges families can face when they have a sick child, particularly those who are also having to deal with travel accessing specialized care outside of the province,” Hindley said in a statement.

“That’s why we are taking steps today to reduce the financial burden for families so they can focus on their healing journey for their child.”