Health for All

Today, in a landmark decision, the Toronto Board of Health joined a growing number of community organizations declaring its opposition to the denial of health services based on immigration status. In accepting a report from the Medical Office of Health, the Board calls on the Ontario government to expand funding to community health centres, end the devastating three-month-wait for OHIP coverage for new residents, and put an end to discriminatory billing practices of hospitals who charge people without OHIP more for the same service.

The Board of Health is also adding its voice to the growing opposition to the Federal government's anti-migrant cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program that has left thousands seeking refuge without access to basic health care. They have joined people across the country, including every major healthcare provider association, and provincial governments in calling for a full reversal of the cuts.

The Toronto Board of Health also calls for the expansion of the city’s new “sanctuary city” policy into provincially funded health spaces in Toronto- requesting that healthcare facilities develop a policy of not reporting immigration status of clients to federal authorities.

The negative health impacts of Canada's immigration system are indisputable. Health for All commends the Toronto Board of Health for voicing its opposition to anti-migrant policies that have a direct effect on the health of residents of our city. We call on our allies and supporters to raise their voices in support of growing resistance to health injustice.

On May 1st Health for All will join with people around the globe for International Workers Day. We will join in the 8th Annual May Day of Action in Toronto. At this year's May Day we will join together to build a Solidarity City, a city of people unified in Respect for Indigenous Sovereignty, Status for All, an End to Imperialism and Environmental Destruction, an End to Austerity and Attacks on the Poor and Working class, continued resistance against Patriarchy, Racism, Ableism and Homophobia and Transphobia.

Please join us at 5:30 PM at City Hall.

TORONTO, February 22 2013 – Members of Health for All Toronto are applauding the City of Toronto’s passage of a Sanctuary City motion, saying that it could vastly improve access to health services in the city.

“Undocumented people in Toronto avoid city services because of fear of debt, denial of service, detention and deportation,” said Brendan Bailey, a nursing student and member of Health for All. “The passage of this policy means more people will feel comfortable accessing services that will keep them healthy, and out of hospital.”

Motion 18.5 , passed on February 21st, calls for training of front-line staff to ensure undocumented residents are not asked about their immigration status when accessing city services, the establishment of a complaints protocol, and a media blitz to ensure the policy is publicized among city residents.

Accessibility to City of Toronto services such as emergency shelters and hostels, parks and recreation programs, and public health services in particular, are expected to improve the health and wellbeing of undocumented residents.

“We’re very enthused that the City took this step, however, the actualization of this policy requires front-line workers and community members to act to ensure their workplaces and sites of service are visibly accessible,” added Bailey. “We’re urging health and social service workers as well as community members to connect with the Solidarity City Network to actively participate in ensuring this policy comes alive on the ground.”

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Health for All Toronto is a migrant justice organization comprised of migrants, health providers, students and allies. We are a member organization of the Solidarity City Network, the umbrella group behind the Solidarity City campaign. More information about the struggle for Solidarity City is available here: http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/779.

healthforalltoronto@gmail.com
Brendan Bailey
www.health4all.ca

Check out a video from the action today: http://youtu.be/qIX9bTna_Qg
Check out photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.400899969996877.98271.11094233...

Dear supporters and allies,

We are energized today as, in spite of sub-zero temperatures, 60 frontline workers and community members joined Health for All outside the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as we demanded that the Ontario government step up to fill the gap left by federal cuts to refugee health care. A petition with over 1000 of your signatures was delivered with a shrouded body on a stretcher to symbolize the inevitable loss to life should the Ontario government fail to act. Our voices were loud and clear: the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews, has a responsibility to move beyond words, and take concrete steps to provide healthcare for all people in Ontario.

Frontline workers, health care practitioners and concerned community members came together to challenge power today which is testament to the urgency of this issue. The fact that Deb Matthews met with us demonstrates the power of collective action. Although Minister Matthews agreed to a meeting with representatives of Health for All, no concrete commitments were made to fill the gap. This is despite her previous statement condemning the cuts saying, “In effect, this policy change will create a class system for healthcare in Canada.” It is clear that while the Minister may have heard us outside today, her government is not ready to commit to listening to the experiences of healthcare workers and community members on the ground.

In the wake of federal cuts to refugee health, the province of Quebec indicated it would provide healthcare coverage for refugees. The province of Manitoba has said they would do the same and send the bill to the federal government. Saskatchewan has called for a review of the cuts and provided chemotherapy for a dying man. To date however, there has been no movement on the part of the Ontario government to concretely address these cuts.

This is a call for ongoing mobilization to keep this issue at the forefront as the provincial Liberal leader is elected this weekend, and moving forward in the coming months. Thank you all for coming out today. This is what people power feels like. Lets remember this and lets take this energy with us moving forward in making sure that Ontario steps up and fills the refugee health care gap.

Get in touch with Health for All as we will continue to organize against these cuts. Join our mailing list or contact us directly at healthforalltoronto@gmail.com.

In solidarity,
Health for All
health4all.ca
www.facebook.com/healthforalltoronto
@HealthForAllTO

Media from today's action:
OPSEU Health care Blog http://diablogue.org/2013/01/23/refugee-health-medical-students-freeze-o...
Rabble.ca http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/johnbon/2013/01/ontario-must-fill-gap-le...

Here Is What Else You Can Do!

1) Let’s continue to pressure the Minister of Health Deb Matthews!
*Demand Ontario Step Up to Fill the IFH Gap!
*Tweet: @Deb_Matthews
*Email: dmatthews.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
cc: healthforalltoronto@gmail.com
*Call: (519) 432-7339

2) Social Media Campaign - Target the Liberal Leadership Candidates!
*During the Ontario Liberal Leadership Convention this weekend (Jan 25-27), we also ask that you support us in phoning, emailing, and tweeting the candidates, asking them to make statements on this issue.

* Click here for an easy online form that will email all the candidates for you.
*For tweeting, use the #FilltheIFHGap hashtag.
*For contact information for the candidates, check here: http://health4all.ca/FillTheIFHGap.

3) Contact Your MPPs!
* Check out this webpage to locate your MPP: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

4) Organize your own Action
* Organize your own actions with your friends, colleagues and family. Get creative and let us know!

Toronto, January 23, 2013 – On the eve of the Liberal Leadership Convention, healthcare workers and community members are demanding the Ontario government step up to fill the gap left by federal cuts to refugee healthcare. At 12:00 PM, in front of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (900 Bay Street), healthcare workers will deliver a petition of over 1000 signatures via stretcher to symbolize increasing numbers of ill and untreated refugees in Ontario, on the provincial government’s watch.

“Since the cuts took effect on July 1st of this year, volunteer clinics have been overwhelmed with refugee claimants who have been refused care elsewhere,” said Ritika Goel, a family physician and Health for All organizer. “These clinics are not a sustainable solution, but rather a band-aid measure by a few dedicated healthcare providers. It is only a matter of time before someone dies if the province doesn’t step up and fill the gap.”

In the wake of the cuts, the province of Quebec indicated they would provide health care coverage for refugees. The province of Manitoba has said they would do the same and send the bill to the federal government. Saskatchewan has called for a review of the cuts and provided chemotherapy for a dying man. In Ontario, Minister of Health Deb Matthews issued a statement condemning the cuts saying, “In effect, this policy change will create a class system for health care in Canada.” To date however, there has been no movement on the part of the Ontario government to concretely address these cuts.

“Over 1000 frontline healthcare workers and community members have signed petitions calling on Ontario to fill the gap,” said Goel. “There is widespread support for this issue in Ontario and yet the provincial government has been silent. If Manitoba and Quebec can make a commitment to provide healthcare for refugees, why can’t Ontario?”

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Ritika Goel
Phone: 416 890 7489
Email: healthforalltoronto@gmail.com

Please see the attachment below for a table developed by Canadian Clinicians for Refugee Care (available in French), a coalition of clinicians, researchers and community health workers, providing information about health care coverage for refugee claimants and refugees. This information is provided for health care practitioners. The table applies specifically to Quebec, as there are certain differences between provinces. Although all information has been carefully checked by experts in refugee law and health policy, they cannot guarantee accuracy or completeness.

Also see the attachment flowchart below created by the No IFH Cuts Coalition to be circulated to frontline workers dealing with the refugee health cuts to help clarify the cuts. The flowchart is also developed to help people advocate for those affected. It will be updated once the Designated Countries of Origin list is announced.

Date: Monday, October 29th
Time: 7 – 9 PM
Location: Steelworkers Hall (25 Cecil St. Toronto)

In recent months, we have witnessed cruel attacks against the right to healthcare for migrants, both in Canada and across the globe. Those without the fortune of being born with a particular passport are being condemned to suffering and death. Against the backdrop of increasingly restrictive and racist immigration laws, we are also witnessing the unprecedented mobilization and resistance of health workers and allies who are refusing to comply with inhumane laws that leave some of the most marginalized in our society behind.

As Bill C-31, the draconian Refugee Exclusion Act was passed, and cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program were implemented, thousands of doctors, nurses, psychologists, medical technologists, students, healthcare workers and allies mobilized across the country in support of migrant communities, denouncing these changes. From occupations of MP offices, to public disruptions of Conservative MPs, to petitions signed by tens of thousands across the country in opposition to the health cuts, this summer we’ve witnessed the largest wave of sustained protests by health workers against unjust immigration laws in our recent history.

At a time when we face cutbacks to public services and an all out attack against migrants, we are inspired by all those who continue to resist racist laws, who continue to fight against the gutting of our public services, who continue to demand access to healthcare without fear of debt, denial of services, detention and deportations.

So join Health for All on Monday, October 29th to hear from the following organizations:

- Roma Community Centre will speak about scapegoating of migrants in Canada,
particularly the Roma community and how they are organizing against racist immigration laws here.

- Immigration Legal Committee of the Ontario Law Union will describe trends in Canada’s regressive immigration system and speak about the connection between colonization, displacement and migration.

- Mexicans United for Regularization of Montreal will draw on their experiences as a migrant-lead movement for full status regularization and the importance of building alliances to oppose unjust immigration policies, in addition to sharing their own lived experiences of being denied access to basic services including health care.

- Health for All will discuss the health impacts of regressive immigration policies and how precarious immigration status is a significant social determinant of health.

The event is wheelchair accessible, childcare and light refreshments will be provided. This event is free of charge. Donations welcome.

See the attachment below for a table developed by Canadian Clinicians for Refugee Care, a coalition of clinicians, researchers and community health workers, providing information about health care coverage for refugee claimants and refugees. This information is provided for health care practitioners. The table applies specifically to Ontario, as there are certain differences between provinces. Although all information has been carefully checked by experts in refugee law and health policy, they cannot guarantee accuracy or completeness.

Please see the attachment below created by the No IFH Cuts Coalition to be circulated to frontline workers dealing with the refugee health cuts to help clarify the cuts. The flowchart is also developed to help people advocate for those affected. It will be updated once the Designated Countries of Origin list is announced.