REGINA (Staff) – He’s been a thorn in the side of his own party and has damaged the credibility of its health care policy, his critics say.
But Assiniboia-Gravelbourg MLA Lewis Draper, who is also a doctor, says his public criticism of lack of rural health services in Saskatchewan is not an attack on the New Democrat government.
“I call it informed dissent,” he said after a newspaper article he wrote was used by the opposition Progressive Conservatives as an indictment of the NDP government. “Virtually all of the policies of our provincial government I support.”
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Draper said in the article that parts of his constituency are too far from adequate medical facilities, and in some cases it would take two hours to reach a hospital.
That isn’t acceptable, said Draper, adding he hopes his criticism will help bring medical services closer to rural communities “so that if you have a heart attack south of Mankota you don’t have to spend two hours in a rattling tin box over terrible roads. What happens if you get a flat tire?”
He wants the government to consider using the telephone system and the “information superhighway” to allow patients to be treated in their communities, using the knowledge of specialists located elsewhere.
Draper, who said he generally supports the government’s health policy, said he also believes “we’re getting bad advice from people who don’t have the faintest idea what they’re talking about.”
Rural communities different
The government is relying on advice from doctors in major cities on reform of health care in Saskatchewan, and it isn’t applicable to small rural communities, said Draper.
The public criticism should not be taken to mean he’s not a loyal government member, but “I think there are things that should be brought up,” said Draper.
Whether his criticisms will hurt his political career may soon be seen. The Assiniboia-Gravelbourg constituency ceases to exist when the next election comes, and he faces at least two other candidates for the NDP nomination in the new Wood River constituency.
Draper said he stands behind his statements and will continue to offer his views on health care. “If I think that it can be done better I’ll bloody say so.”
