SASK. PARTY CRUMBLING HEALTH-COVERAGE SYSTEM BREAKS PROMISE TO WORKING NEWCOMERS

Families Are Facing Uncertainty And Out-Of-Pocket Medical Expenses Despite Remaining Legally Authorized To Work In Province
SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is raising concerns about a growing number of working immigrants who are being denied health coverage under the tired and out-of-touch Sask. Party, despite being legally authorized to live and work in Saskatchewan.

Under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules, people who apply to extend their work permit before it expires receive “maintained status,” allowing them to keep receiving services while their application is processed. Often, many remain on maintained status for several months to upwards of a year, risking their ability to access vital public healthcare services provided by the provincial government.

However, the rules as written are not being followed in Saskatchewan, said Keith Jorgenson, Associate Shadow Health Minister. Individuals who incur health-care costs during this limbo period are supposed to submit their expenses to the provincial government for reimbursement, but many here report waiting weeks or even months to receive those funds.

In a 2022 news release, the Saskatchewan government promised that Ukrainians coming to Saskatchewan under the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program would be eligible “to receive a Saskatchewan Health card for the duration of their immigration.”

“What we’re hearing from people in the community is that if their health card expires before they receive their renewed work permit — which is most often the case — their request for any temporary health coverage is either left in limbo or flat out denied while they wait for their application to be processed,” Jorgenson said. “In the past, the province typically provided individuals on maintained status with temporary coverage during this period; however, we are increasingly hearing reports that many folks are falling through the cracks.”

On Friday, Jorgenson stood alongside Yuriy Pogrebnyy, who is a Ukrainian national working and living in Saskatchewan under a CUAET visa. Yuri, who works and studies in Saskatoon, recently lost his health coverage while waiting for his work permit extension.

Pogrebnyy said, “Now that I have moved to Saskatoon, I have plans to start and build my future. I pay taxes and everything, but I can't get a health card and can't get health coverage.”

Jorgenson added, “Many of the individuals we’re hearing from simply can’t afford to pay out of pocket for health care, let alone wait months to be reimbursed.

“Beyond the financial burden, these are people who are living, working and paying taxes in Saskatchewan. They deserve access to health care just like anyone else.”

-30-

Latest posts

FIRST-QUARTER UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS SASK. PARTY MISMANAGEMENT

Larger Deficit Despite $300 Million in Higher Oil Revenues
REGINA – Saskatchewan’s deficit has increased to $825 million despite $300 million in higher revenue, highlighting the depth of Sask. Party mismanagement and its lack of concern about the cost-of-living hardship developing under the watch of Scott Moe and Jim Reiter.

REGINA OVERDOSE NUMBERS SHOW GOVERNMENT FAILURE ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS CRISIS

REGINA — New data from the Regina Police Service shows the devastating toll of the overdose crisis that continues to be felt in communities across Regina, with 705 overdose events recorded in July alone and five people losing their lives.

The July figures include 47 incidents attended by police and nine instances where police administered naloxone. The data paints a stark picture of a crisis that continues to put lives at risk and place enormous pressure on first responders.

SCOTT MOE MUST JOIN TEAM CANADA, PULL AMERICAN BOOZE FROM SHELVES IN RESPONSE TO ESCALATING TRUMP TRADE WAR

Sask. Party Government Continues To Pander To Trump Even As New, 50 Per Cent Tariffs Imposed, Including Those On Canadian Liquor

SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is demanding Scott Moe stop pandering to Donald Trump while he hammers the Canadian economy and join other premiers across the country by immediately pulling American liquor from Saskatchewan store shelves.

ANOTHER REPORT SHOWS SCOTT MOE’S COAL CATASTROPHE WILL COST BILLIONS MORE THAN PROMISED, DRIVE UP RATES

Report: "The Return To Coal Is Both the Most Expensive Option For Ratepayers And The Most Expensive Option For Saskatchewan's Energy Future."
REGINA – Today the Pembina Institute released a new report finding that the Scott Moe’s coal plan could cost up to $32 billion and drive up power rates for Saskatchewan families.

NDP Caucus Office