US Edition‘Denial of care’: Doctors worry about refugees as payment requirements take effect
Refugee groups warn the new fees will limit access to medication and counseling, while the government calls them a cost-saving measure.
- Starting Friday, refugees under the Interim Federal Health Program must pay $4 for every prescription and 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental health products and services including dental, vision care, and equipment.
- The federal government introduced these co-payments in last year's budget as a necessary cost-saving measure, while the program continues to cover full costs for doctor appointments and hospital visits.
- More than a dozen medical organizations, including the Canadian Medical Association, warn that refugees cannot afford these fees and predict increased emergency department costs as untreated patients deteriorate.
- Vanessa Redditt, a physician at College Hospital, called the policy a "denial of care," noting patients already grappling with trauma, suicidality, and precarious housing now lack access to trauma therapy.
- Parisa Rezaiefar of the Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre argues investing in refugee health enables faster community integration and economic contribution, reducing long-term supplemental care dependency.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Refugees now have to pay for some of their prescription drugs, mental health consultations, dental care, vision care and medical equipment – including wheelchairs – after changes have been made to a federal program.
The Toronto Star
‘Denial of care’: Doctors worry about refugees as payment requirements take effect
TORONTO - Refugees now have to pay out of pocket for part of their drug prescriptions, mental health counselling, dental services, vision care and health equipment — including wheelchairs —
Winnipeg Free Press
'Denial of care': Doctors worry about refugees as payment requirements take effect
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Doctors worry about refugees as payment requirements take effect
Refugees now have to pay out of pocket for part of their drug prescriptions, mental health counselling, dental services, vision care and health equipment - including wheelchairs - as changes to a federal program take effect. For decades, Canada's Interim Federal Health Program has provided complete ...
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