A Hamilton refugee says new federal co-pays for refugee health coverage are forcing him to delay dental treatment he cannot afford.
A Hamilton refugee says recent federal changes to refugee health coverage have left him unable to afford follow-up dental care for worsening tooth pain, raising concerns among advocates that the cuts could push more people toward hospital emergency rooms.
Omer Obiedallah, a refugee from Sudan who lives in Hamilton, told CBC News he booked a dental appointment in April after his tooth pain rapidly worsened. He was not seen until May, after changes to the Interim Federal Health Program took effect, and said the initial assessment cost him more than $120 out of pocket.
“I'll tell you this is way more than I can afford,” Obiedallah said.
The federal changes, which began May 1, left access to essential and emergency services intact but introduced new costs for some benefits. Refugees now have to pay 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental services such as mental health counselling, emergency dental care, basic vision care and medical devices, as well as $4 for prescriptions.
Obiedallah said he has struggled to find regular work during his two years in Canada despite having worked as a physician for two decades in Sudan. He now earns money delivering for Uber Eats and said he is fortunate to make $400 in a week.
He said his dentist has not yet finalized what follow-up treatment he will need, but indicated several procedures may be required, including a possible tooth extraction. Obiedallah said he expects he will have to go without the treatment.
“I don't think I'm gonna continue on this treatment. I cannot afford it,” he said. He added that, based on his medical background, delaying care until a problem becomes an emergency is usually more expensive, but said he sees no other option.
Danielle Steenwyk-Rowaan, a refugee worker with Open Homes Hamilton who has been helping Obiedallah, told CBC the changes are both harsh and financially counterproductive. She said small costs, including a $4 prescription fee, can add up quickly for people with little income, especially those who need ongoing medication.
She warned that untreated conditions can escalate into hospitalizations, shifting costs to provinces and territories rather than eliminating them. She also cited Canadian Refugee Health Network figures showing the Interim Federal Health Program spent an average of $1,645 per refugee in 2025, about one-third of the average cost of a Canadian covered by a provincial public health insurance plan.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said the changes are meant to help manage growing demand and keep the program financially sustainable. Mary Rose Sabater, a department spokesperson, told CBC that initial estimates show the cuts could save nearly $127 million in 2026-27.
For Obiedallah, the immediate question is whether he can afford care before the pain worsens. Steenwyk-Rowaan said her organization is considering a loan program for people in severe need, but added it cannot replace the coverage refugees have lost.
Comments (0)