Saskatchewan Denies Brain Surgery Travel Coverage for Saskatoon Woman
Tammy O'Brien, a 54-year-old Saskatoon mother and brain tumour survivor, has been denied travel coverage by the Saskatchewan government for a second time, despite undergoing life-saving surgery in Edmonton last December. The Ministry of Health has confirmed it does not cover travel, accommodation, or meal costs for out-of-province healthcare, leaving O'Brien to pay $854 for her Gamma Knife radiosurgery procedure, which is not available in Saskatchewan.
Government Response and Criticism
In a letter from Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill, the government stated that while national charities like Hope Air and private insurance may assist with costs, the ministry itself does not provide financial support for such travel. This has drawn sharp criticism from NDP health critic Keith Jorgenson, who accused Cockrill of lying, noting that the government's website shows reimbursement for travel expenses for out-of-province breast cancer diagnostic services in Calgary, up to $1,500 for eligible patients.
"I'm frankly appalled that the minister would lie to somebody that has a brain tumour," Jorgenson said at a news conference. He highlighted the inconsistency in policy, pointing out that if travel costs are covered for cancer screening, they should also be covered for cancer treatments unavailable in the province.
O'Brien's Advocacy and Petition
O'Brien, who is on a fixed income and whose tumour is not fully gone, has started a petition calling on the government to amend healthcare policy to provide financial support for residents needing to leave the province for medically necessary treatments. She described the situation as "incomprehensible" and is rallying community support to push for change.
The government's website indicates that as of January 16, 2026, 792 patients have been referred to the Calgary clinic for breast cancer diagnostics, with 709 procedures completed. Jorgenson emphasized the need for comprehensive consultations to establish a broader policy covering other procedures and travel costs, arguing that the current approach lacks fairness and transparency.
This case underscores ongoing debates about healthcare accessibility and equity in Saskatchewan, as residents like O'Brien face financial hardships while seeking essential medical care beyond provincial borders.
