THRIVE’s Statement on Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Co-Payments for Refugees

The Interim Federal Health Program is a program that provides temporary urgent or essential health care to vulnerable refugee claimants in Canada. This healthcare coverage ceases when individuals qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance, withdraw or abandon a claim for refugee protection, or become ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

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We thank the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) for making us aware of these unjust changes, which will likely contribute to further health disparity for many Black, racialized and newcomer communities. Additionally, these changes will further hinder public health efforts, the responsiveness of our publicly-funded provincial and territorial healthcare systems, and the efforts of non-profit community organizations that attempt to address gaps in prescription medication coverage, and other non-covered healthcare expenses for people in need.

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In their statement, the HIV Legal Network and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario rightly highlight that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health has called on Canada to expand access to IFHP. It is unconscionable to create barriers to healthcare access. These payments act as a deterrent against vulnerable individuals, who are fleeing their countries of origin to escape disaster or persecution.

Organizations like Thrive HIV Prevention and Support are aware that the adversity experienced by refugee claimants can contribute to complex challenges with physical and mental health, coupled with impoverishment. The co-payments that refugee claimants will be expected to pay in May will dissuade individuals in need from accessing preventative healthcare, which may lead to more expensive medical emergencies. 

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