![\"Text](\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/a\/assets\/texttospeech.svg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Listen to this article<\/p>\n
Estimated 4 minutes<\/p>\n
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n
Many clients Dr. Allison Henderson treats at the London, Ont., Refugee Health Clinic have just fled war zones, persecution and violence, and they arrive in the city without money or a place to call home.<\/p>\n
Nearly 100 new refugees come through the clinic\u2019s doors every month seeking treatment for a variety of complex health issues, says Henderson, the clinic\u2019s medical lead. <\/p>\n
Now, the federal government is requiring refugee claimants to pay out of pocket for some medical services that were previously fully covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).<\/p>\n
Henderson says the decision will force them into precarious health situations and will further strain an already overwhelmed emergency system in the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what worries me about the rhetoric I\u2019m hearing from the government is sort of, \u2018Well, we need to equalize things,\u2019 like, \u2018Everyone should have to pay a bit.\u2019 And it feels like it\u2019s a race to the bottom,\u201d said Henderson.<\/p>\n
The IFHP provides health care to refugees before they are eligible to receive provincial health insurance. London\u2019s refugee clinic, part of London InterCommunity Health Care, provides patients with primary care during their first year in Canada, after which they try to find a primary care provider in the city.<\/p>\n
What is the new co-pay model?<\/p>\n
Starting May 1, Ottawa introduced a co-pay model under the IFHP. This means refugee claimants now have to pay $4 for every prescription and 30 per cent for \u201csupplemental\u201d health services such as mental health counseling, emergency dental, or basic vision care, as well as medical devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs or prosthetic legs.<\/p>\n
Basic essential and emergency services are still fully covered under the program, which includes vaccinations, lab tests and ambulance services.<\/p>\n
Although the change is being referred to by the federal government as \u201cco-payments,\u201d Henderson said many refugees do not have any money to pay for their health care.<\/p>\n
For instance, she has a patient with cerebral palsy who has difficulties swallowing and cannot afford outpatient therapy, having only just arrived in Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will mean that we are at a higher risk of choking, of having an aspiration, of having pneumonia, of ending up in hospital,” said Henderson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Program cuts won\u2019t save money, doctor says<\/p>\n