Chiefs attending national strategy session on Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations

03/19/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that Chiefs Rhonda Kirby and Christine Zachary-Deom are in Toronto today and tomorrow to attend a national strategy session on Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations people.

The strategy session, ‘Taking Action to Mobilize Change,’ is being organized by the Assembly of First Nations to address problems with the NIHB program, which is described as being in a crisis situation. The session will be used specifically to create a National Action Plan that will assist community, regional and national stakeholders to mobilize change.

The results of the strategy session will be brought forth to the upcoming Assembly of First Nations General Assembly.

The NIHB program is Health Canada’s national, medically necessary health benefit program that provides coverage for benefit claims for a specified range of drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, short-term crisis intervention mental health counselling and medical transportation for eligible First Nations people and Inuit. First Nations have had grave concerns regarding continuous cutbacks in the Program during the past several years.