MUN medical students are raising the alarm about federal changes to refugee medical coverage that are slated to come into effect May 1st.
They say that as of next month the federal government will start charging refugees and refugee claimants $4 per prescription, and 30 per cent of the cost of dental care, mental health counselling, vision care, and assistive devices.
Students held a rally at Memorial University over the lunch hour to bring attention to the matter as part of a national day of action, and to urge those concerned to write their MP.
Students gathered at MUN’s Medical School (VOCM News)
Physician and MUN Professor Dr. Christine Aubrey-Bassler called the changes “racist.”
She says refugees, who already face barriers accessing health care, will be put in a more precarious predicament though further cuts to medical and dental coverage.
“It’s really scapegoating migrants. It’s quite racist. There’s a lot of research that shows this is actually going to cost money,”
“There’s been research both in Canada and internationally over the past 10 years that shows when co-pays are introduced, prescriptions are filled less. And so you can imagine if you can’t get your blood pressure medication, you’re more likely to have a stroke. And the cost of having a stroke is astronomical to the provincial health care system.”
Students attending the protest say many refugees are already in impoverished circumstances, and are unable to afford health care outside the public system.
