Doctors launch study to monitor effects of cuts to refugee health benefits | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Doctors launch study to monitor effects of cuts to refugee health benefits

Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq listens to an inpromptu question on refugee healthcare from Dr. Megan Williams during an announcement in Ottawa, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. Doctors are starting a research project to monitor what they say will be the adverse effects of federal government cuts to health-care benefits for refugees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Doctors are starting a research project to monitor what they say will be the adverse effects of federal government cuts to health-care benefits for refugees.

As of this weekend, the government will no longer cover the cost of extended benefits such as medications and vision care for refugee claimants.

The cuts will also restrict access to health care to urgent cases or cases where the medical status of a refugee claimant poses a danger to public health.

Doctors say the cuts could have deadly consequences as refugees arrive in Canada with medical problems often related to their living conditions abroad.

They say their national surveillance program data will be used to show the Conservative government that the cuts are a bad idea.

The government argues that people awaiting a decision on a refugee claim shouldn't be entitled to better health-care coverage than Canadian citizens.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2012
The Canadian Press

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