Care without barriers
Online posting: January 13, 1997
Published in print: Feb. 15, 1997 (CMAJ 1997;156:481)
Re: Impact on health care adds to the social cost of homelessness,
MDs say, by Fran Lowry, CMAJ 1996;155:1737-9 [partial text / en bref]
I am pleased that CMAJ published an article on health care
and the homeless. As a physician who works regularly in Canada's
largest hostel for men, I can confirm the challenges of providing
adequate care for a high-risk population that has significant
needs.
However, it is unfortunate that the article did not suggest
action on the unacceptable barriers to health care facing the
homeless, which appear to be in direct violation of the Canada
Health Act (CHA). As the writer states, severe psychiatric
illness or the lack of an address means homeless people may not
have a health insurance card and may face the refusal of care.
This outrage occurs daily. At the same time, the population at
large is faced with the risks and inconvenience posed by
untreated mental illness and infectious disease.
The CMA and the provincial and territorial medical associations
should indicate to governments, both federal and provincial, that
barriers to care are contrary to the CHA and insist that fiscal
penalties be imposed until the problem is solved. All Canadian
citizens, regardless of residence or health status, are entitled
to care without barriers.
Bob Frankford, MB, BS
Seaton House
Toronto, Ont.
hbrf@inforamp.net
CMAJ email
CMAJ Readers' Forum