A woman in Nova Scotia, Crystal Ellingsen, had to seek treatment in Germany for lipedema, a chronic condition that caused her significant pain and mobility issues. The treatment cost over $100,000, which she and her family had to pay for by taking out a loan against their home. Ellingsen, along with another woman, Jennifer Brady, who sought treatment in Japan for lymphedema, were both initially denied coverage for their treatments in their home province. The Nova Scotia Supreme Court overturned these refusals, calling them “unreasonable”.
Lipedema and lymphedema are chronic conditions that cause pain, swelling, and mobility issues. Ellingsen’s legal win and promise of reimbursement bring her relief, as she no longer has to suffer from her debilitating condition. However, she is concerned for others who are still unable to access necessary treatment due to the flawed system in Nova Scotia. Surgery to reduce lipedema is not currently available in Canada, forcing many patients to seek treatment abroad at great cost.
The premier of Nova Scotia, Tim Houston, issued an apology for the mistreatment of Ellingsen and Brady, promising to reimburse them for their medical and legal expenses as well as fund further treatment for Brady’s ongoing condition. Houston also pledged to review the out-of-province and out-of-country treatment approval process. Ellingsen believes that a review of the system is not enough and that a complete overhaul is needed to ensure that patients with lipedema and lymphedema are not left in agony.
Ellingsen has had to incur significant debt to pay for her treatments and has had to move to the United States for better-paying work to manage this debt. She calls for Nova Scotia to invest in its health system so that patients with lipedema can access timely diagnosis and treatment. Brady, who completed an application for medically assisted death due to the pain caused by her condition, is cautiously optimistic about the premier’s promises, as a provincial election is currently underway and Houston, who is seeking re-election, has promised to fulfill his commitments to improve the health care system.
Despite the legal victory, Ellingsen and other patients with lipedema or lymphedema are still facing significant challenges in accessing the care they need. Ellingsen is grateful for the relief her treatments have brought her, but recognizes that many others are not as fortunate. She believes that the healthcare system in Nova Scotia needs a complete overhaul to ensure that patients with chronic conditions do not have to endure unnecessary suffering and financial burden. Brady, while hopeful for change, remains skeptical of the political promises made during the election campaign and hopes to see concrete action to improve the healthcare system for all Nova Scotians.
