Brother of former Saskatchewan cabinet minister out $60,000 after life-saving surgery in the U.S.

The brother of a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister is out $60,000 after getting life-saving surgery in the United States.

Edward Tchorzewski, the 72-year-old brother of former finance minister and political advisor Edwin Tchorzewski, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in Saskatchewan in 2009. He was told surgery wasn't an option by doctors in Saskatchewan, but because his brother died of prostate cancer Tchorzewski insisted on getting a second opinion.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic disagreed, telling him he had a week to live if surgery wasn't performed immediately. The procedure turned out to be a success, but it came at a significant cost to the pensioner.

NDP MLA Judy Junor raised the case during Question Period Thursday morning, wondering why the government won't reimburse Tchorzewski.

“Mr. Tchorzewski went out-of-country and it saves his life. He's a 72-year-old pensioner and it cost him almost $60,000, a bill the minister has yet to pay.”

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Junor asked several pointed questions around whether or not the government would consider footing the bill, but health minister Don McMorris didn't say. He admitted that there hasn't previously been an appeal process for cases with “special circumstances.” McMorris insists the government is in the process of setting up an appeal committee.

“We have set up this committee, the ministry right now is talking to people that will be sitting on that committee. We would hope those names would be able to be put forward in the near future. This has taken a little bit longer than I had wanted, Mr. Speaker, but the committee is under way.”

However, he wouldn't commit to meeting with Tchorzewski or paying his bills and didn't explain if the case would be considered by the committee.

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