Reid Continues to Show Support for the Families of Autistic Children

CARLETON PLACE – Scott Reid, MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington commented on the release of the Ipsos-Reid poll released earlier today:
84% of Canadians believe that treatment for Autism should be included in Medicare.

According to today’s Ipsos-Reid poll, 84% of Canadians said that while not obligated to cover this healthcare cost, their province should do so anyways. The cost of IBT therapy can run up to $60,000 annually for the family of an autistic child, and this therapy can save the health care system and taxpayers an average of $1 to $2 million over the lifetime of an autistic person.

“The federal government should encourage provinces to start covering this treatment,” Reid stated, “In Ontario, there is currently only room in the budget for around 100 children to receive the treatment each year, the others either have to do without or burden their families with a very hefty medical bill.”

The Supreme Court of Canada recently found that provinces are not legally responsible for covering Intensive Behavioural Treatment (IBT), under the Canada Heath Act. The decision also stated that provinces can choose to cover the therapy out of their own health budget.

Last month, to encourage the provinces to take this action, Scott Reid tabled several petitions calling on the government to include IBT therapy in the Canada Health Act.

In an unprecedented feat, on November 26, of this year, Scott Reid sought and obtained unanimous consent in the House of Commons to submit an online petition containing over 2,500 additional signatures. The House agreed to the submission of those 2,500 names. The online petition continues to grow by approximately 100 signatures per day.

For more information or to speak with Mr. Reid
Please call (613) 257-8130 or (613) 947-2277.

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