"I asked several questions to the Minister of Health and Community Services regarding potential user fees for health services during today’s question period," said Ms. Jones. "Unfortunately, the Minister would not answer my questions in the House of Assembly. Does she feel that user fees for health care is an acceptable approach to balancing our budget?

"In the Terms of Reference, it states that the consultant should identify revenue opportunities for practically all areas of health care. I would like to advise the Minister that the health boards are not business entities and health care is certainly not a revenue generator in our province. She should focus on providing quality service to the people of the province and not move forward with her current agenda of gutting health services and possibly establishing two tiered health care."

Ms. Jones also raised concerns regarding other recommendations in the Terms of Reference. "This Minister was responsible for overseeing the creation of this document and is the person who sent this Terms of Reference to the HAY Group. It is obvious that this government is obsessed with a right wing approach of cutbacks and fees to balance our fiscal deficit. Not only will we possibly see fee increases for service, it appears she is focused on combining the WHCC and the GRHSB to make one super board taking in the entire west coast and southern Labrador. I tell the Minister that the people of southern Labrador have much different health care needs than the people of Corner Brook. If both boards are combined, I fear that many communities will be negatively affected.

"I am also concerned with the recommendation to the HAY Group to identify which services can be taken out of small population areas and moved to larger urban centres. Does this mean clinics in rural Newfoundland and Labrador will close? Does this mean services at the Stephenville Hospital will be transferred to Corner Brook? While this Minister refuses to answer questions in the people’s House of Assembly, she will eventually face the people of the province and tell them why she has just sacrificed their health care in an effort of putting money ahead of people’s lives."