Doctors of the World Canada welcomes the announcement of the bill tabled today by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, which aims to improve accessibility to the health insurance plan and the general drug insurance plan for certain children living in Quebec, whether they were born there or not, whose parents have a precarious migrant status.
“Regarding citizen children, this issue should have been resolved over 20 years ago. Today, we therefore wish to commend the proactivity of Minister Christian Dubé in addressing this injustice. However, Doctors of the World is concerned that this bill seems to leave some children behind and by the obstacles that may be created by the planned administrative procedures,” states Nadja Pollaert, Executive Director of Doctors of the World Canada.
The Quebec Health Insurance Act was amended in 1999 to stipulate that children are considered domiciled in Quebec if they are “established” there. This amendment aimed precisely to ensure that children born in Quebec and living there receive the care they need, based on their own status, regardless of that of their parents. Despite these changes, these children continued to be excluded from coverage by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Since 2016, Doctors of the World, with the support of numerous other partners, has repeatedly called on representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Ministry of Immigration, and the RAMQ to denounce this inequity.
Children and families still excluded from health coverage
It appears that the government’s intention is that, with the adoption of these amendments to the Health Insurance Act, all children born in Quebec will have access to the RAMQ if their parents can provide proof that they are established in Quebec for at least 6 months, and that a certain number of other children born outside Quebec may also be covered under certain conditions.
Doctors of the World must thoroughly examine this proposed amendment to the law, but several concerns remain regarding the implications for migrant families. For example, the fact that the required proof may be too restrictive in the context and not adapted to the reality of migrant families with precarious status. As part of the review of the bill, Doctors of the World plans to submit a brief to make recommendations aimed at simplifying as much as possible the administrative procedures provided for by the law, as no child living in Quebec should be excluded from health insurance coverage.
Let us recall that in Quebec, tens of thousands of people still lack health coverage due to their precarious immigration status. However, it has been shown that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are even greater for people experiencing vulnerability. Covering all children is a priority, but let us not forget other vulnerable people such as pregnant women or elderly individuals struggling with chronic illnesses. In a public petition, Doctors of the World calls on the Quebec government to guarantee, without further delay, access to health coverage for all people living in Quebec, regardless of their migrant status, as Ontario has done since March 2020.
About Doctors of the World Canada
Present in Canada and in 74 countries, Doctors of the World is an international movement of volunteers working at the national and international levels. Through innovative medical programs and evidence-based advocacy, Doctors of the World empowers excluded individuals and communities to demand respect for their right to health, while fighting for universal access to care.
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Information:
Mélissa Cabana
Senior Communications Advisor
Doctors of the World Canada
Cell: 514 799-8985
melissa.cabana@medecinsdumonde.ca