Doctors demand repeal of cuts to refugee healthcare.
from the Medical Reform Group
A group of Ontario doctors today has added its voice to calls for Jason Kenney and the Conservative Government to withdraw ill-considered reforms to the Interim Federal Health (IFH) program. This is the insurance program through which refugees and refugee claimants receive health benefits.
"It is a cruel move on the part of the government to cut health care for refugees, who are often traumatized by war and persecution," said MRG spokesperson Dr. Michaela Beder. "Refugees are among the most vulnerable people in Canada and cuts to their health care services are unacceptable."
On Friday May 11, a group of approximately 90 doctors, including members of the Medical Reform Group, entered MP Joe Oliver's office asking for a meeting to discuss the cuts. Similar protests occurred across Canada, including a rally on Parliament Hill.
"Health care providers are in the best position to see that this population is not abusing our health care system. In fact, they are accessing much-needed services like pregnancy care, well-baby checks and cancer screening, which likely prevent downstream costs," said Beder.
"Under the changes, refugees will be denied access to essential medicines," said MRG spokesperson Dr. Andrew Pinto. "People with diabetes will not get insulin, people with heart attacks will not get beta-blockers after discharge from hospital, and people with arthritis will not be treated for their pain. These changes will create a new class of people living in Canada without basic health insurance."
The proposed changes would also introduce a two-tier health care system for refugee claimants, whereby people from designated countries of origin (so-called "safe countries") will be denied medical care. These changes are based on false notions that individuals from these countries are bogus claimants.
“I have patients from around the world who are persecuted for their ethnicity, sexual orientation or political affiliation.”
"I have patients from around the world who are persecuted for their ethnicity, sexual orientation or political affiliation," said Pinto. "The Canada I know welcomes those who have faced tremendous hardship, provides them a home, and offers them the health care that they need." Pinto noted that the changes come into effect on June 30. "The time to act is now. The reforms must be withdrawn immediately."
References
MRG website
MRG email
About Medical Reform Group
The Medical Reform Group is an organization of physicians, medical students and others committed to ensuring access to high quality health care for all Canadians
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