The NDP MHA for Labrador west says while government’s new online voucher system for the Medical Transportation Assistance Program is something he’s asked for, more needs to be done to help people with the cost.

Under the updated system, people in the Labrador-Grenfell Health zone can apply for a voucher of $1,000 upfront for the cost of their first eligible airfare, plus as assistance rate of 75 per cent towards additional airfare costs exceeding $1,000.

Jordan Brown claims the current cost of a round trip ticket for a patient and their medical escort exceeds $3,000, and that even with the voucher people will still have to pay about $1,000 out of pocket.

Brown points to recent changes in the health care system that sees orthopaedic and cardiac patients being flown to other areas of the province for treatment, and says there’s no reason why other medical referrals should be treated differently.

Brown thinks government should look at Quebec’s model, whereby patients call a hotline with a referral number from their physician and their flight is booked at no cost to the patient.