Caring for Uninsured Clients: Improved Access to Care for Those Without OHIP
Michaela Beder (she/her), Psychiatrist, St. Michael’s Hospital
Shezeen Suleman (she/her), Co-Lead, Health Network for Uninsured Clients, Registered Midwife, MATCH program - South Riverdale Community Health Centre
Abstract
Immigration status is a determinant of health which impacts the ability of many people across Ontario to obtain equitable healthcare. Access to healthcare for people who are uninsured (without OHIP) has historically been very challenging across the province, leading to fear due to denial of care, due to incurring debt and due to the risk of deportation when people without immigration status seek healthcare. In March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, the province increased access to care, ensuring that all hospital-based care is covered, and instituting 3 OHIP codes that can be used by physicians for community-based care. These improvements follow on years of advocacy by community groups. Despite these positive changes, gaps remain, leading to the need for ongoing advocacy.
Leaning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify the ways in which immigration status is a determinant of health
- Describe the barriers to care experienced by people without OHIP
- Describe the ways in which access to healthcare for people who are uninsured has improved during COVID, including a review of community and hospital-based resources
- Participate in advocacy to ensure access to care for people without immigration status
References
- https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/health-network-on-uninsured-clients/
- Gagnon, M., Kansal, N., Goel, R. et al. Immigration Status as the Foundational Determinant of Health for People Without Status in Canada: A Scoping Review. J Immigrant Minority Health (2021).
- Gagnon M, Chef R, Forman L. Who Deserves Health Care in a Global Pandemic? Health and Human Rights Journal. Vol 23(2), (2021)
- Hynie M, Ardern CI, Robertson A. Emergency Room Visits by Uninsured Child and Adult Residents in Ontario, Canada: What Diagnoses, Severity and Visit Disposition Reveal About the Impact of Being Uninsured. J Immigr Minor Health. 2016 Oct;18(5):948-956.
- Siu, C., Rao, S., Hayman, K. et al. Exploring the perspectives of healthcare providers that care for non-insured individuals utilizing emergency departments in Toronto. Can J Emerg Med (2022).