Woman forced to seek international care worries for those in N.S. still suffering
A woman who was forced to seek out-of-country treatment for her painful chronic condition says she welcomes a recent apology from Nova Scotia's premier, but worries for others who are still suffering without adequate care.
Tim Houston apologized Friday after a court criticized his government's flawed and discriminatory process that led to Crystal Ellingsen and Jennifer Brady being rejected for coverage of vital treatments they received in Germany and Japan.
Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Timothy Gabriel overturned the province's "unreasonable" refusals to reimburse Brady, who has lymphedema in her legs, and Ellingsen, who has lipedema in her legs and arms, for their treatments.
Ellingsen, a 46-year-old mother of three, says the legal win comes as a relief to her and her family, who have been fighting for treatment for years.
But Ellingsen says the win is bittersweet, because she considers herself lucky to have been able to take out a loan against her home in order to pay more than $100,000 for overseas surgeries needed to regain her mobility and reduce her chronic pain.
She says she is thinking about those who are living with lipedema and are unable to access vital treatment.
In a Friday statement from the premier's office, Houston said he agrees the women were mistreated. The province will reimburse them both for their medical and legal expenses to date and will fund the further treatment needed to manage Brady's ongoing condition, he added.
Houston also pledged a review of the out-of-province and out-of-country treatment approval process.
Ellingsen says a review of the "broken" system is not enough, and Nova Scotia must completely overhaul its handling of these conditions so people with lipedema and lymphedema are not left in agony.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Jay-Z accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 incident along with Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has amended her lawsuit to include allegations that she was also assaulted by Jay-Z at the same party.
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
A timeline of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the search for his killer
The search for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's has stretched beyond New York City and continues. Here's what we know so far.
Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.
Suspect wanted after victim forcibly confined, assaulted, and threatened with death in Scarborough
Police have released images of an individual who allegedly forcibly confined, and assaulted and threatened to kill another person in southwest Scarborough over the weekend.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects
Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them.
Pantone names its colour of the year for 2025
Pantone has named an 'evocative soft brown' its colour of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.