Provincial government may combine health card with other forms of ID

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This article was published 23/07/2015 (3740 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba government is looking to lighten your wallet — but not in the way you might think.

The province is eyeing a partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance that would result in Manitoba Health card information being integrated into the one-piece driver’s licence.

For those who don’t have a driver’s licence, their current paper health card would be transformed into a photo identification card that would serve as superior ID for applying for jobs, finding a place to live and being able to vote.

Health Minister Sharon Blady said Thursday the government will consult the public about the idea beginning in September.

“I’m sure a lot of folks would want a card like this in their pocket yesterday, but we want to do this the right way and talk to Manitobans to find out what that card needs to be,” she said in an interview.

Community activists have long called for improved identification for people who do not drive.

Josh Brandon, a spokesman for the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, said a lack of proper ID can be a barrier to finding housing and gaining employment.

“The main benefit will be to make it easier for low-income people to get access to identification to access the services that they need,” he said.

Blady said a new provincial “registry of identity” would be created to oversee the process, but it doesn’t appear the government is contemplating creating a large new bureaucracy. The plan is to have MPI issue the ID cards.

Brian Smiley, a spokesman for the auto insurer, said the relatively new one-piece driver’s licences were designed to be multi-purpose.

There is currently an unused field on the cards that can accommodate a person’s health insurance number, he said.

MPI also currently issues the photo ID cards that are accepted by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries as proof someone is old enough to buy alcohol at provincial stores. If the proposal receives the go-ahead, as expected, that same photo ID card could also be loaded with health information and serve as the bearer’s Manitoba Health card.

Smiley said MPI’s experience makes it the logical choice for issuing the new combined cards.

“We have a robust system in place now where we’re able to confirm the identity of people. We’ve been doing that for a number of years,” he said.

The new cards are not expected to have any impact on MPI rates. In fact, there are opportunities for cost savings, Smiley and Blady said.

Some provinces charge a fee for photo identification cards, but Blady said it is too early to speculate on what might be charged.

“I don’t want to do anything that would be a barrier or an impediment to people having this card,” she said.

The minister said there are several advantages in issuing a health card with photo ID, including the prevention of identity theft and fraud.

Blady said the government would ensure MPI and Manitoba Health do not gain access to each other’s information. No personal health or drug records would be shared with MPI, and no driver’s licence information or driving history would be shared with Manitoba Health, she said.

Health-care providers will also be consulted along with the provincial ombudsman’s office to ensure that personal information is protected, Blady said.

The minister said no potential launch date has been set for the proposed cards — at this point, the government is only seeking Manitobans’ views on the idea.

People will be able to provide feedback through online surveys, at information displays in public areas and through MPI’s website.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca