A frigid welcome

Yukon family pushes government to freeze restrictions on foreign-adopted babies' healthcare access

By Juliann Fraser

Baby Samantha squirms in her mother's arms gurgling with infant laughter, blissfully unaware that her new Canadian parents, Rob and Tracey Twa, have just won the fight of her life.

The trio became a family recently after a seamless adoption in China. The Yukon couple was one of four families in the territory who adopted Chinese babies this year. Samantha was tested for HIV � a requirement for foreign adoptions under Canadian law � as well as hepatitis.

But little did the Twas know that while they were away, things back in Yukon had changed for the worse. They were welcomed home with the news Samantha was ineligible for Yukon's health benefits.

"We were shocked," says Mr Twa. "We thought we would get coverage automatically." Holding Samantha on her lap, his wife adds, "We were pretty angry, actually." "Yeah, angry's probably a better word," agrees Mr Twa.

It all started when Samantha got a cold. It was nothing serious, but the new parents had to be sure. When they went to get her healthcare card, the clerk told them that a new policy, put in place January 1, excludes babies adopted from outside the territory from receiving health benefits for 90 days. The Twas found this difficult to fathom as other adoptive parents from Ontario and BC they'd met in China told them their babies were fully covered.

The family contacted their MLA, Elaine Taylor, who offered to "compromise" by paying premiums for three months of private health insurance for Samantha. The Twas rejected this, on principle.

TAKE IT TO THE TOP
The family decided to turn to Liberal leader and former premier, Pat Duncan. Ms Duncan was outraged by their account, so she spoke out about the issue in the legislature. Now the policy was out in the public, and the government was forced to respond.

Mr Jenkins defended the measure, saying it was meant to replace a scrapped federal policy under the Immigration Act that barred seriously ill foreign adopted babies from becoming Canadian citizens. He added that the policy was to ensure that couples wouldn't recklessly adopt sick children. "The awareness levels will certainly be much higher after this has been raised in the legislature today," he said.

But by the next day Mr Jenkins and his party were singing a different tune. "Our government is covering newly arrived adopted children," Mr Jenkins said in the legislature. He also stated that adopted babies were flagged by mistake and said the policy was meant to be a cost-saving measure preventing ex-Yukoners from cashing in on the territory's health care system. All children adopted outside the country will now receive the same benefits available before January 1, according to Mr Jenkins.

The couple is thankful the Health minister was persuaded to change his mind � for themselves and for other adoptive parents. "I think he realizes this wouldn't have been a popular decision in the public's view," says a relieved Mrs Twa.