Quebec Couple Launches Crowdfunding Campaign Due to Healthcare Coverage Gap

A Nepalese couple living in Rimouski, Quebec, is turning to crowdfunding to cover the costs of pregnancy monitoring and the birth of their twins, highlighting a gap in healthcare coverage for some immigrants. Pratistha Shrestha and Dipesh Sharma, who have lived in Rimouski for three years, are ineligible for care covered by the Régie de l’assurance santé du Québec (RAMQ) due to Ms. Shrestha’s open work permit status. Their private insurance does not cover pregnancy-related care, and a twin pregnancy is considered high-risk, requiring multiple consultations.

Financial Strain and Crowdfunding Appeal

The couple estimates their medical expenses will reach tens of thousands of dollars. Faced with limited options, they launched a crowdfunding campaign to seek financial assistance from the public. “We’re excited for the babies to arrive, but at the same time, we worry about our financial situation,” Shrestha shared. The crowdfunding page emphasizes the couple’s contributions to the Rimouski community, stating they have “lived, studied, worked and actively participated in the vitality of our community.”

Broader Issues of Healthcare Access for Immigrants

This situation is not isolated. According to policy analysis advisor Stéphanie Harvey at Médecins du Monde Canada, approximately 50,000 immigrants in Quebec lack medical coverage due to their immigration status [1]. Rosanne Lord, an intercultural community worker at Accueil et Intégration Bas-Saint-Laurent, reports that a quarter of her clients experience issues related to a lack of medical coverage.

Calls for Expanded Coverage

Organizations like Médecins du Monde Canada are advocating for an expansion of RAMQ coverage to include individuals with precarious immigration status. Harvey argues that denying preventative care can lead to more significant and costly health issues down the line, ultimately increasing the burden on the RAMQ. “The child of a mother who has had no pregnancy follow-up is more likely to be born with certain difficulties, which can lead to much greater care in the child’s first years of life,” she explained.

Recent Changes to Coverage for Children

Since 2021, all minor children who demonstrate their intention to remain in Quebec for more than six months are covered by public health insurance, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Looking Ahead

Pratistha Shrestha and Dipesh Sharma are expecting their twins around the end of April. They have expressed gratitude for the support received through the crowdfunding campaign. Ms. Shrestha simply wishes for her babies to be born healthy and without the added stress of financial debt.