Health files
This edition of Health files covers the dental care benefit roll out, band-aid responses to the health care crisis, and calls to attract Internationally Educated Health Professionals.
Dental care program phase one available
“As of Dec. 1, eligible Canadians are now able to apply through the Canada Revenue Agency to receive funding as part of the first-ever federal dental-care program… On Nov. 17 the NDP-backed Liberal affordability bill, bringing in both the dental-care benefit and rental boost for lower-income Canadians—known as Bill C-31—became law. At the time, the government committed to having the application process launched before the end of the year,” reported Rachel Aiello for CTV, Dec. 1, 2022.
Red Cross responds to disaster at children’s hospital
“It’s absolutely incredible to me that we’re calling in an organization that deals in humanitarian disasters to help out… And then to hear the government say that it’s part of its plan,” said Ontario Liberal leader John Fraser in the Toronto Star, Dec. 6, 2022.
“Highway Medicine” not the answer in Manitoba – or anywhere
“Being able to find the money and the time and the support to drive to different regions to get health care is not feasible. Manitobans should not have to expect highway medicine as the way they access essential health care… If we’ve got CEOs who are talking about how they’re forced to get health care outside of their communities, what does that mean for the rest of Manitoba? We need to invest in strengthening our public health-care system at home,” said Manitoba NDP Health Critic Uzoma Asagwara in the Winnipeg Free Press, Dec. 5, 2022.
Liberals call for proposals to attract Internationally Educated Health Professionals
“Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced a call for proposals to help Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) work in Canada’s healthcare sector… Fraser announced a call for project proposals to enable IEHPs to gain skills, experience, and local credentials; so that their talents may be utilized properly… Proposals will be handled through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP), a federal program that provides funding to governments and organizations to support foreign credential recognition in Canada… Fraser announced an investment of $90 million through the program, for chosen projects,” wrote Asheesh Moosapeta in CIC News, Dec. 5, 2022.
NDP calls out Alberta’s desire for private health care
“Enough is enough. Our health-care heroes are burnt out, and Alberta’s children’s hospitals are running out of beds. Parents are terrified of their kids getting sick… Trudeau can’t let Premier Smith and Conservatives destroy Alberta’s public health-care system. He needs to step up and take action,” stated Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in a NDP news release, Dec. 3, 2022.
Cover photo by Marcelo Leal/Unsplash.
