[zuluking]

I wish everyone would actually read the document before going on about the horror and travesty. The example provided by StreetPharmacist is covered by the term "essential nature". The definition is:

2.2.2. For the purpose of the IFH Program, services, as listed in the OIC, are of an essential nature if they are provided to an IFHP beneficiary:

1. who is presenting for assessment and follow-up of a specific illness, symptom, complaint or injury;
2. for prenatal, labour and delivery, and postpartum care (including routine prenatal care and maternal care for up to 28 days after the delivery); or
3. for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease posing a risk to public health or of a condition of public safety concern.

and this:

2.2.4. For the purpose of the IFH Program, services and products are not of an urgent or essential nature where they are:

1. provided solely for the purpose of screening or prevention of a disease or injury except for screening or prevention of diseases posing a risk to public health or of conditions of public safety concern;
2. for elective purposes or primarily provided to improve quality of life with respect to a condition that causes minimal dysfunction and that is unlikely to deteriorate to a medical emergency within 12 months or the current period of eligibility, if shorter;
3. for cosmetic purposes or convenience of the beneficiary;
4. for fertility and sterilization purposes;
5. for the purpose of rehabilitation, including the cost of rehabilitation hospitals and facilities;
6. primarily related to research or experimentation;
7. not paid for by provincial or territorial health benefit programs;
8. required by or paid by third parties such as insurance companies, business establishments (e.g. automobile insurance), or government agencies, but excluding immigration medical examinations; and
9. for long term care and home care.

Now back to our regularly scheduled overreactions.