Legislative Assembly

expand it. We see that in the Speech from the Throne. This is the program that was initiated by the former Minister of Welfare, Dr. McNeill, but I would certainly ask the Dept. of Welfare to be equitable in their administration of that program and to use a uniform application for the recipients of it. I don’t care how broad you make it. You can cover everybody in Prince Edward Island, if you like, under it and that would be the simplest way of giving everybody on Prince Edward Island Medicare, be a very simple operation. But I don’t think you should select certain cases and not give it to others if they’re equally entitled, I feel that this is going on at the present time. Originally those special groups, the Mothers’ Allowance group, the Disabled group, Old Age Assistance groups were all covered completely and I believe it was a good thing and something that I commend the Government for continuing and for expanding at the present time.

Hon. J. Elmer Blanchard: Would you permit a question, Sir‘.’ L. George Dewar: Yes.

Hon. .L Elmer Blanchard: Last evening I asked if you were personally and politically in favor of Medicare and you stated that you had stated your position earlier in the evening when I wasn’t present and that I could read about it in the newspapers in the morning. I read every paragraph of your speech, Sir, I didn’t see any reference to your position on Medicare. I was wondering if you would mind answering that question now?

L. George Dewar: I might say, Mr. Speaker, that with all due deference to the press that that was the only part of my speech which wasn’t very accurately covered in all of the report. (Laughter)

J. Elmer Blanchard: Would you mind answering it now? I couldn’t read it.

L. George Dewar: I’ve always been in favor of prepaid medical insurance care and I’ve never had any question about that and I’m sure that the party that I belong to is in favor of that and will continue to be in favor of it. In fact, they initiated it in Ottowa and they initiated it here in this Province. (Applause)

Hon. J. Elmer Blanchard: Would you explain what you mean by prepaid? L. George Dewar: You’re speaking about medical insurance, medical insurance.

Hon. J. Elmer Blanchard: I’m speaking of Medicare, the Ottawa program. Are you in favor of that?

L. George Dewar: Of the Ottawa program. I’m in favor of the principle. I won‘t say I’m in favor of every detail of it, no.

Hon. J. Elmer Blanchard: Are you in favor of Medicare?

L. George L. Dewar: I’m in favor of prepaid medical insurance, certainly. haven’t you got it yourself? Aren’t you in favor of it?

Hon. J. Elmer Blanchard: Yes, but there’s a bit of a difference. Blue Cross. is this what you’re in favor of?

L. George Dewar: Prepaid medical insurance. I don’t care who the carrier is.

J. Elmer Blanchard : We’re talking about a Government sponsored Medicare here.

L. George Dewar: Government sponsored. Government can sponsor it. You gentlemen are sponsoring it. I just said that I’m in favor of it, that the form- er Government, of which I was a member, initiated it. Why wouldn’t we be in favor of it? That was a Government sponsored plan and we used the vehicle of Blue Choss — Shield in order to give it to the people and I do not think that you will ever get a better administration of any medical care insurance plan than you will get through the Blue Shield people at the present time or at any time in the future. (Applause)

Walter R. Shaw: When are you going to have it.

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