OTTAWA, July 4, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association believes the Federal Court has ruled wisely asking the federal government to change its cuts to refugee health care within four months, CMA President Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti said today.
The court found that the April 2012 changes to the Interim Federal Health Program ended up creating 'cruel and unusual' treatment. "This is a victory for reasonable compassion and a big step for natural justice," Dr. Francescutti said.
Since May 2012 the CMA, together with several other health and social service groups, have continually raised concern and called on the federal government to rescind the changes.
Dr. Francescutti noted that a broad coalition of provinces — Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec — have had the wisdom to voice objections to the cuts and to take steps to restore various levels of coverage to refugees.
He called on Ottawa to sit down with the provinces and territories and work on a policy that is acceptable to all.
In light of the federal government's intention to appeal the decision, the CMA will continue to point out the negative impact of these measures on patient care.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care.
SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association
Lucie Boileau, Senior Advisor
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