Medical Care Out-of-Reach for Disabled
Source: United
Ways of Ontario's Government Relations Bulletin - Issue dd June 18, 2003
Research by the Canadian Council on Social Development reveals that disabled Canadian often face difficulty affording the drugs they need, and barriers in accessing other medical services. Many disabled people require medication on a regular basis. However, almost 20% of working age women and 12% of working age men report that they can't afford their medication. Despite higher rates of medication usage, disabled seniors tend to have fewer affordability problems because of access to provincial drug assistance plans.
The research also found that most people with disabilities don't claim the federal medical tax credit, because expenses often aren't high enough to qualify, or their incomes are too low. Compared to their able-bodied neighbours, the study found disabled Canadians are three times more likely to report that they can't access the health care they need.
The research, prepared using data from Statistics Canada, is part of a series CCDS has compiled focusing on people with disabilities.
For more information or to access CCDS's Disability Research Information at http://www.ccsd.ca/drip/
Source: United
Ways of Ontario's Government Relations Bulletin - Issue dd June 18, 2003
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Page last updated June 19, 2003