There's good news following a story Global's Trouble Shooter brought you earlier this month.
An Edmonton man was facing upwards of $20,000 in medical bills. Antony Samartino had brain surgery to remove a brain tumour, only to find out his Alberta healthcare number had been cancelled. Officials thought he had left the country.
Samartino says Alberta Health wouldn't help him unless he had photo ID. The only problem was his only photo ID was in his wallet which he lost his during the ambulance ride.
Following Julie Matthew's story, Alberta Health officials agreed to look at tax documents and other paperwork Samartino provided.
In that paperwork was an affidavit proving Samartino had been in Canada since 1974.
On Friday, he received a phone call from Alberta Health Care.
"She said i'm going to send (your new card) to you, and I was so happy, I cried." says Samartino.
He says his entire bill is going to be covered.
"They re-instated the same number so they're going to cover everything."
Samartino is overjoyed and can't thank Julie enough for the work she did for him and his wife.
"I fought them and it didn't work." he says adding, "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Samartino is continuing radiation treatments to shrink the remainder of his brain tumour and is happy he will no longer have to pay the bills.
With files from Julie Matthews.
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