Are we providing ethical health care to new residents of Canada?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5203/jcanpa.v2i6.882Keywords:
immigrant, refugee, health care, immigrants without status, ethicsAbstract
As mandated by the Canada Health Act, the intention of Canadian health care is to ensure the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada by providing reasonable access to health services, without financial or other barriers. Is Canada meeting the objective of the Canada Health Act for those people who are new arrivals to the country? Health care is a universal, basic good and as such, it should be provided to all who reside within Canada, regardless of their immigration status. As this discussion highlights, Canada is falling short in the provision of health care to those residents who are not Canadian citizens. The current structure of care fails to meet the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
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