"While I was very happy to hear that there will be new health care funding for Labrador, nobody in the provincial government seems to be able to provide any details as to where this money will be spent," said Ms. Jones. "If this money is intended to improve travel programs and accessibility for Labrador patients, I hope this funding will be in addition to the current programs offered by the provincial government.

"The current program needs to be broadened and extended to all residents of Labrador, including those in Labrador West. The provincial government currently administers a medivac program and a $1.5 million voucher program that subsidizes travel for Labrador patients to health facilities in St. Anthony and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This program needs to be extended to include residents of Labrador City and Wabush. People living in this region of Labrador need access to vital services such as CT Scans that are not readily available in this area.

"The program also needs to be expanded to help patients in critical need of treatment who must travel to St. John’s or Corner Brook. These people must pay for their travel without any assistance and many cannot afford the huge costs associated with such a hospital trip. A subsidy program would help alleviate the hardships experienced by residents of Labrador when seeking medical procedures only available in larger centres on the island.

"While I am cautiously optimistic that this new money will be used to improve health services in Labrador, I would like the provincial government to provide more details as to where this money will be spent. There are many needs that the current travel program does not cover and these programs must be expanded. I ask the Premier to come forward and update the people of Labrador on these issues so they will know exactly what benefits they will receive from this new health care funding."