Premier promises Manitoban battling degenerative disease will get temporary coverage after outcry

ManitobaManitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province is reversing its decision and will ensure a 30-year-old battling a degenerative disease will keep receiving his life-sustaining treatment for at least another year.Ian Froese · CBC News · Posted: Nov 25, 2025 3:42 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The province says an arrangement to cover Jeremy Bray’s treatment will be worked out between the province and the drug’s manufacturer, Roche. (Tyson Koschik/CBC)Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province is reversing its decision and will ensure a 30-year-old battling a degenerative disease will keep receiving his life-sustaining treatment for at least another year.Kinew said Tuesday he was “very moved” by news reports overnight about Jeremy Bray’s disappointment after realizing his pleas for continued coverage hadn’t changed the health minister’s mind.Bray has Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that gradually robs him of the ability to move his muscles.He can currently move his mouth, parts of his face and one thumb — and that’s about it. He’s been on the drug risdiplam — sold under the brand name Evrysdi — for more than six months, after Manitoba’s health minister persuaded Roche, the drug’s manufacturer, to extend free coverage on compassionate grounds.”We have some positive news to share with you and your family here today,” Kinew told question period on Tuesday afternoon, speaking directly to Bray.”I’m happy to share with the House and all Manitobans that you are going to get this coverage, probably for another year, as we push to make sure the federal regulator does its job to gather the evidence.”Kinew said his government has been in touch with Roche and “some progress” has been made in the negotiations with the manufacturer.The premier didn’t immediately specify who would fund the interim treatment or whether that had been decided.