Rural health minister defends pro-life views after speech

According to Saskatchewan’s rural and remote health minister, his personal beliefs don’t steer government policy.

Greg Ottenbreit is defending himself after he recently spoke to a pro-life rally and told those in attendance that he would “continue the fight.”

The NDP has brought up the situation as it pushes to have the cost of the abortion pill Mifegymiso covered by the province. Nearly every other province has it covered and when it’s not, the drug can run into the hundreds of dollars.

Ottenbreit said his “continue the fight” comment referred to bringing the group’s views to caucus.

“I’m one voice in a cabinet of 18 and of a caucus of 48, and everybody brings their views to the table for consideration in respect to their constituents and their wishes,” Ottenbreit explained Thursday.

The minister himself holds pro-life views but says reproductive rights are the law of the land. He has never stood in the way of any of “these things that are the same as across the country.”

For anyone who might be concerned about his personal views, Ottenbreit invites them to look at his record.

“I’ve been here for 4 1/2 years and I wouldn’t think anybody could point to any one decision that my beliefs influenced a direction of government,” he said.

Vicki Mowat, the NDP’s health critic, said it’s fine for a minister to hold personal beliefs.

“But this is about him being the minister of rural and remote health and ensuring that women in rural and remote areas have access to reproductive care,” she said.

Mowat accused the Sask. Party government of “slow-walking” the Mifegymiso decision. She said the drug should be given universal coverage because it costs less than a surgical procedure, reduces barriers and increases access to reproductive services.

Health Minister Jim Reiter said the NDP is simplifying the matter too much. He said this isn’t an access issues; it’s an issue of who will pay for it.

Reiter said if the patient or private insurance don’t pay for the drug, then the taxpayer will have to. He explained that, currently, there are alternative programs for the lowest-income people to get prescription drugs paid for.

When it comes to Ottenbreit’s pro-life beliefs, they don’t seem to bother either the health minister or Premier Scott Moe. Both stood in the chamber Thursday and answered questions directed to Ottenbreit on the matter.

The premier said there’s a balance for all of the people in government when it comes to matters of conscience, but abortion is the law of the land and Sask. Party MLAs support the policy of the government.