Will Liberal Government Act on Liberal Party Canada Call for Medicare Coverage for the Treatment of Autism?

Harold L Doherty

63 Alder Avenue

Fredericton, NB

Conor Doherty displaying his medal for best smile

received at Leo Hayes High School, Fredericton

.

March 2, 2018

Matt Decourcey, MP

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Re  #WPG2016 Liberal Party Canada Resolution E-03

       Medicare Coverage for Autism Treatment 

Dear Mr. Decourcey:

I am writing to you again, as a follow up to my letter of February 2, 2018, on behalf of my son Conor who is, theoretically at least,  represented by you in the House of Commons. Conor suffers from severe autism disorder, intellectual disability and epilepsy a very common combination of conditions among persons on the autism spectrum. In my Feb 2 letter I informed you of the results of autism research, particularly a recent high quality Swedish study reported, and brought to public attention, in a publication by Autistica, the respected UK Autism Research Charity, Personal Tragedies, public crisis. The urgent need for a national response to early death in Autism.  Among the many persons with autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy early death arrives 30+ years earlier, on average, than among persons in the general population. I asked you whether the current Liberal government intends to act to implement #WPG2016 Resolution E-03, passed with strong support which called for Medicare coverage for the treatment of autism.  Since then I have received 2 of your self promotion publications but I have not received an answer to my question. Resolution E-03 is attached below following 2 Hansard statements by highly respected former Liberal MP's the late Andy Scott, Fredericton and Shawn Murphy, Charlottetown.  

I ask you again, on behalf of my son Conor Doherty:

Will this current Liberal government act on and implement #WPG2016 Resolution E-03 calling for Medicare Coverage for Treatment of Autism?

Respectfully,

Harold L Doherty

Conor's Dad

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipient (Autism Advocacy)

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APPENDIX A

M-172 — MAY 15, 2006 — MR. SCOTT (FREDERICTON) — THAT, IN THE OPINION OF THE HOUSE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CREATE A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER THAT WOULD INCLUDE: (A) THE ESTABLISHMENT, IN COOPERATION WITH PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS, OF NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND THE DELIVERY OF RELATED SERVICES; (B) THE STUDY, IN COOPERATION WITH PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS, OF THE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CARE OF THOSE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSFERRING FEDERAL FUNDS TO ASSIST PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE NO-COST TREATMENT, EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND OTHER REQUIRED SUPPORTS FOR CANADIANS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER WITHOUT UNREASONABLE WAIT TIMES; (C) THE CREATION OF A NATIONAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TO BE MANAGED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA; AND (D) THE PROVISION OF FUNDING FOR HEALTH RESEARCH INTO TREATMENTS FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.

APPENDIX B

"HEALTH

40TH PARLIAMENT, 2ND SESSION

EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 020

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2009

HEALTH

HON. SHAWN MURPHY (CHARLOTTETOWN, LIB.):

MR. SPEAKER, ON DECEMBER 5, 2006, EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE, INCLUDING THE PRIME MINISTER, SUPPORTED MOTION NO. 172. THE MOTION DIRECTED THE MINISTER OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL HEALTH MINISTERS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF DEVELOPING A NATIONAL STRATEGY ON THE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT OF CANADIANS WITH AUTISM. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PREVIOUS MINISTER OF HEALTH AND THE PRESENT MINISTER OF HEALTH HAVE TOTALLY IGNORED THIS MOTION.

MY QUESTION IS FOR THE PRESENT MINISTER OF HEALTH. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION AND CANADIANS ARE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER. HOW LONG DOES THE GOVERNMENT INTEND TO IGNORE CANADIAN FAMILIES DEALING WITH AUTISM?"

APPENDIX C