Family Calls for Reform in Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits Program

The family of a seven-year-old boy from Deer Lake First Nation, denied medical transportation due to lacking an Indian status card, is urging changes to Ottawa's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.

In January, Jordan Harper was seriously injured in a head-on collision on a winter road near the northwestern Ontario community. The Grade 2 student was airlifted to Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, where two metal rods were placed in his leg.

Last month, Jordan was due for surgery to remove the rods, but the family awaited a scheduled medical evacuation from Deer Lake to Thunder Bay by NIHB staff.

"His leg was all swollen from the rods," said Aretta Meekis, describing her stepson as smart and outgoing.

The family claims Jordan was not covered under NIHB because he lacked an Indian status card, which his late grandmother, his primary caregiver, had been trying to obtain for him.

"I was just crying that one day because they refused — they still refused the medevac and he was just in pain," said his stepmom. "He just turned seven, like, how can you refuse a child?"

Deer Lake, home to about 1,100 people, can only be accessed by plane or winter road. After waiting more than a week, the Oji-Cree First Nation's tribal council, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, paid for his trip to Thunder Bay for surgery.

"We're hearing stories like that all over — community chiefs paying for things, health directors paying for things," said Monica Hemeon, vice-president of regional services for the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA).

SLFNHA services 33 First Nations, 28 of which are remote. The NIHB program provides coverage for First Nations and Inuit people across Canada for health benefits not covered by social programs or insurance.

To qualify, clients must reside in Canada and meet specific criteria:

• Be a First Nations person registered under the Indian Act.
• Be an Inuk recognized by an Inuit land claim organization.
• Be a child under two years old whose parent is eligible under the NIHB.

Jordan's stepmom questions why an exception wasn't made for urgent care while his status card application is processed. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) informed CBC via email that it is "working diligently to improve NIHB medical transportation services in the Sioux Lookout area."

Miscommunications and Missed Appointments

Brad Meekis, a band councillor for Deer Lake First Nation, highlighted regular miscommunications between NIHB staff and the local nursing station, leading to travel not being booked and appointments being canceled.

"Once the referrals are made to NIHB, they say that they don't receive the referrals from our nursing station," Meekis explained. "Some of our people miss critical appointments like this. Sometimes they wait numerous years before they're seen again."

Amanda Meekis, responsible for managing medical travel requests, says sending referrals involves extensive paperwork and advocacy. "I often spend hours on hold," she said. "Sometimes they just hang up on me."

The impact of missed appointments can be catastrophic, with delayed diagnoses affecting patient outcomes.

ISC Increases Staffing to Enhance Services

Jennifer Cooper, ISC spokesperson, said meetings have occurred between the department and SLFNHA to address NIHB program concerns. Steps taken include:

• Increasing staffing to 20 employees at the Sioux Lookout NIHB office.
• Creating a senior manager position to lead and manage capacity.

ISC is also revising internal processes to streamline medical transportation requests.

Need for Urban Support

Hemeon stressed the importance of support in urban centers where clients face challenges navigating the healthcare system. SLFNHA operates hostels and offers support in Sioux Lookout, but expansion into cities like Thunder Bay faces resistance from Indigenous Services Canada.

Back in Deer Lake, Jordan is recovering well. "He's so happy he