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Feds should review decision to cut refugee claimants' access to health care, says health coalition

The consequences of limiting access to medical care for most classes of refugees are being seen and felt in emergency rooms and community health centres across the country.

The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

In April 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced sweeping changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), a program that, since 1957, has provided refugees to Canada with insurance coverage for medical services. Subsequent to the minister’s announcement, a number of national organizations and professional associations representing Canada’s health care providers and public health community asked the minister to repeal this decision, as it would severely limit access to health care for refugees. In the summer, modifications were quietly made and health care benefits for government-sponsored refugees were restored.

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back to article Feds should review decision to cut refugee claimants' access to health care, says health coalition
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Feds should review decision to cut refugee claimants' access to health care, says health coalition

The consequences of limiting access to medical care for most classes of refugees are being seen and felt in emergency rooms and community health centres across the country.

The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

In April 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced sweeping changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), a program that, since 1957, has provided refugees to Canada with insurance coverage for medical services. Subsequent to the minister’s announcement, a number of national organizations and professional associations representing Canada’s health care providers and public health community asked the minister to repeal this decision, as it would severely limit access to health care for refugees. In the summer, modifications were quietly made and health care benefits for government-sponsored refugees were restored.

  

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