Why U.S. conservative pundit Glenn Beck is offering help to sick Sask. woman who applied for assisted death

An international policy expert says an American pundit’s recent commentary on a Regina woman’s medical situation is a distraction from the real issues in Canada’s health-care system.

Glenn Beck, former Fox News host and current owner of far-right news site The Blaze, posted on X this week that he wants to help connect Jolene Van Alstine, who says she has struggled for years to access specialized surgery for a rare disease, with doctors in the U.S.

Tom McIntosh, a professor of politics and international studies at the University of Regina who focuses on health policy, says Canadians should not allow political posturing to draw their attention away from the real problems.

“Whatever kind of foolish opportunism that Glenn Beck is demonstrating for his own purposes, we, I think, should try not to be distracted by that,” McIntosh said in an interview on Wednesday.

“There is still an issue here. There’s still a citizen of ours in real need.”

Van Alstine has a rare form of parathyroid disease called normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT). It causes extreme bone pain, nausea and vomiting.

“I haven’t left the house in eight years except to go to the doctor for blood work or to be admitted into the hospital,” she said in an interview Wednesday.

Van Alstine said she has undergone three surgeries, but still requires specialized care to locate and remove an overactive parathyroid gland. Van Alstine is currently in the hospital.

Two weeks ago, she told reporters she was considering medical assistance in dying (MAID) because she couldn’t get the needed surgery for her rare disease in Saskatchewan, or a referral out-of-province. At that time, Van Alstine said she had been approved for MAID.

Still waiting for MAID approval

On Wednesday, CBC spoke with Van Alstine and Dr. George Carson, a MAID approval doctor.

Carson said the requirements for approval include having a disease that cannot be cured, a decline in function like restricted movement and the belief that the condition is intolerable.

“[The process] is always rigorous,” Carson said. “The consequences are significant.”

Carson said he had assessed Van Alstine previously and determined she met the criteria for MAID, so he gave his approval.

Van Alstine also told CBC that she had received approval from a nurse practitioner. In Canada, a person seeking MAID needs approval from two independent doctors or nurse practitioners.

Later on Wednesday, CBC learned that Van Alstine did not have full approval for MAID. According to her partner, Van Alstine called to confirm she had full approval for MAID after her conversation with CBC. She was then informed she did not, because she only had official approval from one doctor, Carson.

Jolene Van Alstine shared this photo of herself from the hospital on Wednesday. Van Alstine says she would prefer to be treated and not need MAID, but until then she would like to have the option open. (Submitted by Jolene Van Alstine)

Van Alstine told CBC that she would prefer to be treated and not need MAID, but until then she would like to have the option open.

“I have a little spark of hope,” she said.

Beck posted on X Tuesday that he would help arrange treatment in the United States for Van Alstine. In a series of posts, he said surgeons had contacted his organization offering assistance and his team was in contact with Van Alstine and her partner.

Beck posted on X on Tuesday that he would help arrange treatment in the United States for Jolene Van Alstine. (Glenn Beck/X)

Van Alstine’s partner, Miles Sundeen, confirmed he was contacted Tuesday by Beck’s staff on X.

“He’s offered to pay for at least travel and accommodation expenses, trying to get help for her in the United States,” Sundeen said in an interview with CBC on Tuesday.

“For us to have it done in the States would be financially impossible otherwise.”

McIntosh said the issue is bigger than this one case. He said that while Beck can pay whatever the surgery may cost, it’s not what most Americans can afford.

LISTEN | What’s behind Glenn Beck offering help to Sask. woman previously considering MAID? :

The 3069:52What’s behind Glenn Beck offering help for Sask. woman previously considering MAID?

CBC’s Shlok Talati joins The 306 to talk about Glenn Beck, an American conservative commentator, bashing Canada’s publicly-funded healthcare system and offering help to Jolene Van Alstine, a Saskatchewan resident previously considering MAID.

Sundeen said the couple met with Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill after appearing at the provincial legislature on Nov. 26, with support from the Opposition NDP.

A Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed the meeting shortly after and sent CBC a statement.

“Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on specifics of an individual’s case and outcomes,” the spokesperson said at the time. “The Government of Saskatchewan expresses its sincere sympathy for all patients who are suffering with a difficult health diagnosis.

“The Ministry of Health encourages all patients to continue working with their primary care providers to properly assess and determine the best path forward to ensure they receive timely access to high-quality healthcare.”

CBC has reached out to the Saskatchewan government for comment on Beck’s offer. It had not responded as of publication of this story.

Sundeen said referrals have since been sent to three specialized clinics — at McMaster University in Hamilton, another in Toronto and one in Edmonton.

“That was done probably a little over a week ago — now it’s a waiting game,” he said.

‘If it has to enter the political spectrum, so be it’: Sundeen

McIntosh said this case aligns perfectly with Beck’s political rhetoric. He said Beck is a long-time figure in America’s far right, known for opposing public health care and criticizing Canada’s single-payer system.

He said this case was an opportunity for Beck to rail against public health care in general and MAID specifically.

“THIS is the reality of ‘compassionate’ progressive healthcare,” Beck wrote in a repost of an excerpt of Jolene’s story. “Canada must END this insanity and Americans can NEVER let it spread here.”

McIntosh said physicians involved in MAID assessments take their responsibility very seriously.

“Many people apply for MAID, and many people are turned down as not meeting the criteria. The criteria are very stringently set and very stringently enforced,” he said.

NDP MLA Jared Clarke, left, and Miles Sundeen speak with reporters at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Nov. 26. (Will Draper/CBC)

Sundeen says he is aware that Van Alstine’s story is being politicized, but his main focus is on getting her treatment.

“When you’re in a situation and you care about somebody, you’re going to do whatever it takes to get her help,” Sundeen said.

“If it has to enter the political spectrum, so be it.”