Brian Gallant shows signs of movement on senior care policy

Premier Brian Gallant and Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers emerged from a 90-minute meeting on Friday with three seniors groups, saying there was room for movement on the controversial changes to nursing home costs.

The meeting between the premier, minister and seniors groups was supposed to last 45 minutes, but the session lasted twice as long.

When Gallant emerged, he told reporters that he would not commit to any changes. But he left open the possibility that the provincial government could roll back some of the contentious changes.

"After they asked us if this was something we had to proceed with, we said if they're going to come back with some ways, some ideas on how to save some money, we're willing to look at everything," Gallant told reporters.

There has been a lot of opposition to planned changes in how the provincial government will collect for nursing homes.

The Gallant government plans to look at seniors' bank accounts and investments when calculating how much they can pay for care. The cost cap will also be raised to $175from $113.

New Brunswick's current maximum daily nursing home rate is already the highest in the country at $113.

'Daunting challenge'

Rogers said in a statement earlier this week the provincial governmentneeds to address an aging population and rising health care costs.

"New Brunswick is facing a daunting challenge balancing the needs of an aging population with the rising cost and pressures on the long-term care system." said Rogers in a statement issued on Thursday.

She notes that more than half of New Brunswick's long-term care budget goes towards nursing homes even though less than eight per cent of seniors go into nursing homes.

Rogers saidthe provincial government is working on ways to allow the elderly to stay in their homes as long as possible.

The provincial government rolled out a $30,000 advertising campaign to promote the changes in March, which irked many seniors.

The social development minister conceded in May that the changes to the nursing home fees have been unpopular.

There has been a public backlash to several decisions from the Gallant government, which is trying to raise revenue to help balance the budget.

In August, Finance Minister Roger Melanson estimated the deficit would be $470.6 million. The Liberals have embarked on a strategic program review, which is intended to find $600 million in new revenue or savings in order to deal with a massive structural deficit.