Insurer looks to help marginalized Canadians

According to the Canadian Medical Association, marginalized Canadians find it difficult to access mainstream health care, as they fell stigmatized, judged and unsupported.

According to the Canadian Medical Association, marginalized Canadians find it difficult to access mainstream health care, as they fell stigmatized, judged and unsupported. One insurer is looking to change that.

The Green Shield Canada Foundation (GSCF) recently launched its Frontline Care program, a five-year plan to fund access to better health care for uninsured and underinsured Canadians. By providing grants to Canadian registered charitable and non-profit organizations, GSCF plans to positively and directly impact the health of marginalized Canadians.

“There are obvious gaps in the provision of health care, and we feel it’s important to help narrow those gaps by providing support for Frontline Care to organizations in communities where GSC operates,” says Sarah Saso, executive director, GSCF. “Through our foundation, we are excited to assist four strategic projects with funding of more than $3.5 million. The projects, launching across Canada, will connect marginalized individuals to the basic health care resources they deserve to receive.”

According to the CMA, poverty is the number-one factor in determining whether Canadians live long, healthy lives.

Through increasing access to basic health care for the uninsured and underinsured, GSCF Frontline Care is designed to help open doors to dental health, vision health, prescription drugs and health supports (including disease management and mental health) for Canadians who might not otherwise receive it.

This includes marginalized individuals, such as homeless, working poor and those on social assistance. GSCF also seeks to increase access to a “navigator” that connects individuals to complementary supports, such as jobs, education, housing, food and other social determinants of health.
 

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