OTTAWA — The federal Liberals say they are poised to restore refugee health benefits trimmed by the previous Conservative government.
Health Minister Jane Philpott says an announcement will come very soon to reverse the cuts to refugee health care and, in the meantime, the needs of Syrian newcomers will be covered.
Prior to 2012, anyone awaiting a refugee status decision had their health care costs — including dental, eye care and medications — paid for by the federal government until their application was decided and provincial health coverage kicked in.
But in June that year, the Conservative government drastically scaled back the available coverage.
The Conservatives launched a challenge to a Federal Court ruling that found the changes they had made to the health-care system for refugee claimants were unconstitutional.
They also reinstated some of the benefits, though not all, to comply with the court ruling.
