Refugee health care funding in Canada

Caroline Rose Piccininni,Michelle Kwong

doi:10.5206/uwomj.v88i1.6182

Abstract

Due to a steady rise in the number of refugees accepted by Canada in recent years, the need for government funding to cover the health care needs of this population has similarly increased. Despite this increased need, government funding via the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) was cut dramatically in 2012 by the Conservative government. In 2016, the Liberal government restored full refugee health care coverage. This article provides an overview of refugee health care funding decisions in Canada over the past decade, and explores the impact that such decisions have on the health outcomes of this population. Furthermore, this article compares and contrasts refugee health care funding in Canada with that in other world regions with high refugee influx. Key potential areas for funding improvement are identified.

Highlights

Due to a steady rise in the number of refugees accepted by Canada in recent years, the need for government funding to cover the health care needs of this population has increased
The number of refugees accepted into Canada has been rising steadily, soaring from 10 365 in 2013 to a high of 50 385 in 2017, undoubtedly reflecting recent changes in our country’s political landscape.[1]
Some costs of caring for uninsured refugee claimants were downloaded to the provinces and territories

Summary

Introduction

Due to a steady rise in the number of refugees accepted by Canada in recent years, the need for government funding to cover the health care needs of this population has increased.

Results

Conclusion