The second of two meetings on health care services in the RM of Piney will take place Thursday in Sprague. The first meeting took place last week in the Village of Piney. Reeve Wayne Anderson says the purpose of the meetings is to clear up confusion about which services are paid for by the province for residents who go to hospitals in Roseau and Warroad, Minnesota. He says there have been changes in that coverage in recent years that have not been clearly spelled out.

Reeve Wayne Anderson"One of the big changes has to do with specialist care. A lot of modern medicine involves more specialist care than years ago. So they want us not to use any specialized services in the United States. In some cases, this is going to kind of cause problems because you will have to get another doctor in Manitoba to refer you (to a specialist) if they (the American doctors) can't. So there are a few things to be worked out yet with Manitoba Health."

He notes the province has clearly stated that coverage of health care services at the hospitals in the U.S. is limited to emergencies and primary care. Piney residents are to go to a Manitoba doctor for specialist services.

Anderson says 75 people attended the meeting in Piney and there was a good two-hour dialogue with health officials. He is hoping for the same Thursday in Sprague. Anderson adds the feedback and questions that come up at the meetings are being noted by the officials from Manitoba Health who are in attendance.

"People are finding out how it works and what will work for them. And, of course, they will be getting back to the provincial government and the Health Department on what's causing us problems. And, I' sure they will see if they can straighten it out."

The meeting will take place at the Sprague Community Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.