One of the most troubling questions for community members in a city or town where large numbers of refugees are arriving is—why are we doing this when we have our own needy people not being cared for?
I hear it all the time. It goes something like this: ‘we have people (Americans/our neighbors) going hungry, homeless in the streets, or the elderly in need of attention and care and yet we can bring in tens of thousands of impoverished people from elsewhere in the world? Why are our own needy so much less attractive?’
That is the question being asked in Ontario, Canada as Canadian health care can not afford Madi Vanstone, but are being pressured to care for refugee “claimants” who may or may not even be granted asylum.
Can you say “death panels” in Canada’s health care system?
Thanks to reader Joanne, here is the story at the Toronto Sun (emphasis mine):
TORONTO – Little Madi Vanstone is one beautiful child — with a major health problem.
The 12-year-old has a rare form of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and requires a life-saving drug, Kalydeco, to keep her breathing.
The big problem is the drug costs $348,000 a year — and it’s not covered by OHIP.
[….]
Madi’s dad, Glen, a pipefitter, has insurance benefits that pay for 50% of her drug bill. The drug manufacturer picks up 30% — but that leaves the family paying $5,770 a month to keep their daughter alive.
[….]
They [the community raised money—ed] did what Canadians have done for generations — pulled together to help a child in need.
That’s what makes Monday’s announcement by the provincial health ministry so galling.
This province is trying to shame the feds into reinstating care for refugee claimants.
Really?
We can’t even afford life-saving drugs for a child who has lived in this province all her life. Whose family has paid taxes for generations.
But in a foot-stamping, blame-the-feds act of cynicism, apparently we have enough money to pay for health care for refugee claimants.
[….]
….the province adamantly won’t pay [for Madi—ed].
But we do have enough money to pay the very generous Ontario Drug Benefit Plan (ODBP) for people here as refugee claimants and those awaiting deportation.
Are we nuts?
And, here it is—one more sensible question from citizens regarding pressure from Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care. If these doctors care so much for the refugees why can’t they treat them for free!
Let refugee claimants hold bake sales for their health care, as Madi’s family has done.
….. Dr. Phillip Berger, of St. Michael’s Hospital and a member of Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, said sick children and pregnant women can’t get care and cancer patients are denied chemotherapy.
If doctors care that much, they can treat refugees for free.
There is more, read it all (click here).
Update! Doctors for Refugee Care win in Ontario—refugee healthcare reinstated.