Canada reduces refugee health coverage, introduces co-payments for prescriptions and supplementary care

Cuts to federally funded health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants took effect Friday, introducing new out-of-pocket costs for medications and certain health services.

According to federal program changes to the Interim Federal Health Program, refugees will now be required to pay $4 per prescription and cover 30 per cent of the cost for supplementary health products and services. These include mental health counselling, dental care, vision care, medical devices and mobility aids such as wheelchairs.

Until now, the program provided full health coverage for eligible refugees until they qualified for provincial or territorial health plans or benefits. The federal government has maintained full coverage for physician visits and hospital care under the updated rules.

Refugee advocacy groups and medical organizations, including the Canadian Medical Association, have raised concerns about the changes. They say some refugees may not be able to afford the new co-payment system, which could affect access to care and lead to worsening physical and mental health outcomes.

The federal government has not publicly detailed additional support measures for those unable to pay the new costs. Connect Newsroom contacted Health Canada for comment. No response by publication time.