It was a bad decision because initially, we were managing the 15 programs, whether it was for eye care, dental care or medication, and in 2007 and 2008, to save money, the department decided to close the treatment authorization centres in Montreal and in other regions in Canada and award contracts to Blue Cross. Afterwards, we lost all the programs.
I honestly foresee a negative impact, because veterans are finding it hard to cope with the way the companies hand down their decisions. When their claims are refused, for example, the answers are given in harsh, badly written letters in French and the veterans have a hard time contacting the company's employees.
That is what is worrying me when it comes to new providers. What recourse will our veterans have? Currently, things are going very well with the case managers. There is no need to privatize these services. You simply have to give more resources to Veterans Affairs Canada and all will be well. You won't solve any problems by privatizing the services.