Refugee healthcare in Canada: responses to the 2012 changes to the interim federal health program

The barriers to healthcare access and their impact on health outcomes for people medically uninsured in Canada: A scoping review

“…In comparison, Hynie and colleagues (2016) reported that uninsured children were less likely to be admitted to emergency rooms and more likely to leave without treatment. Notably, the latter study took place after changes to the IFHP in 2012, limiting opportunities to obtain basic healthcare coverage when medically uninsured unless 'urgent or essential' (Kirova et al, 2015;Rousseau et al, 2013). Children and adults were similarly observed not receiving medication prescriptions or follow-up plans and leaving before seeing a doctor (Campbell et al, 2014;Rousseau et al, 2013).…”

“…In 2012, the federal government reduced healthcare coverage eligibility provided through the IFHP shifting it to a two-tier system based on refugee and migration status. Government-assisted refugees, joint assistance refugees, visa office referrals and victims of human trafficking were provided basic healthcare coverage, while others would receive insured care only if their medical condition was considered 'urgent or essential' for public health and public safety (Kirova et al, 2015). This policy increased pressure on not-for-profit community health centers, volunteer healthcare providers and agencies, and the people with precarious status themselves to seek expensive emergency hospital services (Goldring et al, 2009).…”