Premier Tony Wakeham is responding to concerns by a family that the high salary being paid to a doctor by MCP for giving political advice may be why their little boy is being denied total coverage for surgery to correct a cleft palate.
Matthew Gill’s 7-year-old son Charlie’s medical work will only be partially covered under MCP.
Gill says over the last several years the medical procedures needed to correct the condition were fully covered by MCP.
Charlie Gill (GoFundMe)
Premier Wakeham says no child in the province will lose access to medically-necessary care because of any decision related to Dr. Des Whalen.
Dr. Whalen was hired by the Premier’s Office at a salary of $275,000
Wakeham, who has spoken with the family, says Dr. Whelan’s compensation is not drawn from funding that covers patient care, and there is no cap on the budget for such care.
Government has asked officials in the Department of Health and Community Services to engage directly with the family and NL Health Services to fully understand the situation and work toward a resolution.
