The Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is calling on the federal government to provide equitable funding for oxygen therapy.
Chief Executive Officer of CPFF Sharon Lee says the World Health Organization has designated medical oxygen therapy as an essential human right, however the Canadian government continues to charge patients in various ways.
“It’s just not funded equitably. Every province has a different policy, and this is why were’ saying we want every individual to write to their member of parliament, provincially and federally, and say we want oxygen to be funded equitably.”
In Saskatchewan, those who meet the low-oxygen threshold are enrolled in the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living, or SAIL, Home Oxygen Program. Lung Saskatchewan’s website says the program “provides funding towards the cost of prescribed home oxygen therapy for clients who meet the program criteria.”
Lee explains that oxygen is classified as a drug, but it’s only funded as a home device, which often isn’t enough to cover the entire cost of the program.
“When they give those (health transfers) to each province, it’s only calculated as a home device, yet oxygen is classified as a drug, so the prices don’t marry. If it costs $100, but the home device only has an allowance of $50, then someone has to cover the other $50.”
And unless they have insurance coverage, Lee says patients must pay out of pocket, or they go without and risk suffering an exasperation event.
Lee explains that, if you have money, this set-up is fine if you live in a large centre, but rural residents are often rendered homebound when they run out of oxygen, as deliveries aren’t daily.
“It really, really is hard…How do you go out and get groceries? What happened if you ran out, but you can’t get oxygen to go out, so you have to see if you can find a neighbour or a family member to go out and do that because you can’t leave your house.”
Lee says those who want to join in lobbying Ottawa for access to oxygen can head to CPFF.ca to sign a petition. If a province collects over 1000 signatures, the matter will be able to be tabled before that province’s health minister.
