Federal cuts that have left refugee claimants with little to no health coverage are expected to come at a high cost to Hamilton's health system. <\/p>\n
Many area health care providers continue to care for refugee claimants at the expense of their bottom line since the cuts to the interim federal health program took effect June 30. <\/p>\n
My background is to treat patients that need you regardless of whether they have funding or not, said Dr. Allen Greenspoon, a family doctor at the Hamilton Community Health Centre on Victoria Avenue North. My first and foremost commitment is to patients. We just see patients if they need our help. <\/p>\n
Health Minister Deb Matthews estimates caring for refugees cost $1.3 million at one Toronto hospital alone. Hamilton is also bracing to be hit hard as one of Ontario's top destinations for newcomers. <\/p>\n
It's not sustainable to continue to see patients without funding, said Greenspoon. There has to be a proper plan in place to treat patients as necessary. <\/p>\n
Hamilton's hospitals and the Maternity Centre of Hamilton have all said they won't turn refugee claimants away. They'll try to work out payment plans with them but are aware they'll likely end up absorbing a lot of bad debts. About 10 per cent of the maternity centre's 800 patients a year are funded by the interim federal health program. <\/p>\n
It's not going to unhinge us, said Claudia Steffler, the centre's unit director. But it is something that factors into the big scheme of keeping things afloat. <\/p>\n
Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said during her first trip to Hamilton this week that the health care system simply can't afford to care for refugee claimants. <\/p>\n
We plan for our health-care system with our population, she said. What we don't do is plan for a health-care system of non Canadians. I think this is about fairness to Canadians and Canadians would expect that. <\/p>\n
Ontario's health minister counters that the move only saves the federal government money while putting a tremendous burden on the provincial health care systems. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
See the original post:<\/p>\n
Refugee claimant cuts cost system<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Federal cuts that have left refugee claimants with little to no health coverage are expected to come at a high cost to Hamilton's health system. Many area health care providers continue to care for refugee claimants at the expense of their bottom line since the cuts to the interim federal health program took effect June 30. My background is to treat patients that need you regardless of whether they have funding or not, said Dr Continue reading