March 22, 2020

Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, MB—NDP MLAs Malaya Marcelino and Uzoma Asagwara called on the Pallister Government today to follow the Ontario Government's lead and ensure every person in our province has free access to health care.

“We are calling on the provincial government to cover the cost of health care for all persons in Manitoba—even if they don’t have insurance. No one who is sick or who thinks they are sick should be discouraged from accessing care, screening or treatment related to COVID-19 for financial reasons or fear of being turned away,” said Asagwara. “We know that by investing now in the prevention of transmission we will save our healthcare system significant costs later and keep every family healthy and safe”.

In order to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19, all persons must have access to free testing and treatment. No person without government identification should be denied access to health care.The waiting period for health insurance should be waived and anyone with expired identification should still receive care.

It is time for the Pallister government to provide health care to all persons in Manitoba — regardless of their status, whether they have insurance or ID—in order to ensure health care is available for all of us.

Ontario’s announcement is here: https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2020/03/ontario-expands-coverage-for-care.html