UW's Federation of Students and Graduate Student
Association have launched a petition calling on the Ontario
Government's decision to protect students already in
Ontario as it eliminates health insurance coverage for in
ternational students.
     "More precisely," says organizer Atsushi Yamada, "for
those who are already in their academic program by April 1,
1994, and those who are accepted to the program by April 1,
1994, their coverage must be continued until the completion
of their program."
     April 1 was the day after the Ontario health ministry
announced that it would remove OHIP coverage from
international students in Ontario. Foreign students and
their dependents currently covered by the Ontario Health
Insurance Plan will lose their coverage on July 1, and
Foreign students and their dependents arriving after April
1 will not be covered.
     The letter sent by the health ministry to each
individual foreign student, advising them of the change,
also informs international students of the right to appeal
the decision: International students can appeal for an
extension of their coverage within 15 days of receiving the
notification letter.
     Says Yamada, who heads an ad hoc committee on the
issue set up by the Grad Student Association: "It should be
noted that according to sections 1 and 11 of the Ontario
Health Insurance Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.H.6, international
students are entitled by law to insured services under that
Act.
     This decision will cause a tremendous financial burden
for many international students who cannot afford to
purchase an alternative insurance plan. The timing of this
decision is also problematic."
     The Council of Ontario Universities has said it is
working on a group health plan for foreign studsents, to be
in effect by September. IN the meantime it has advised them
to buy health coverage privately.
     COU has gone on record in favour of the
"grandparenting" proposal, to protect foreign students
already here. UW's president, Dr. James Downey, says he
agrees with that proposal.
     Says Yamada: "These students studying in Ontario chose
to do so expecting OHIP coverage, and thus have not
budgeted for additional health coverage.É
     "Considering the current financial situation of OHIP,
it may be necessary to make such a difficult decision. It
may also be the trend in Canada to require international
students to obtain their own health insurance coverage.
     "The cost of health insurance can be added to the
price of post secondary education of Ontario in the
international market.
     "However, a measure that causes a tremendous financial
burden to the people must not be implemented in such an
abrupt manner. "
     Signature sheets for the petition are being
distributed by the Feds and the GSA. They are due this
Friday June 3, but Yamada says late-arriving signatures
will be accepted. "We would like your support."
     Anyone who wants to sign the petition can contact the
Feds at ext. 4042 or the GSA at ext. 3634.
     For more information, Atsushi Yamada can be reached at
ext. 3099; the e-mail address is ayamada@bbcr.