By Yetunde Bada

The extension of the deadline by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) to April 2021 for new graduates and others classified under implied status has caused many to be joyful and heave a sigh of relief.

Insert audio:

CFUV 101.9 FM spoke to Nancy Juma: ``I’m just so grateful that the MSP deadline has been extended to April 2021 for those under implied status.

I was among those people and I was so worried that I couldn’t even go to work because I didn’t know who would cover my health bill should I fall sick but now I can go to work confidently and I don’t have those worries anymore so now I’m happy, I’m excited, I’m joyful and I feel very confident working.’’

Two more residents who replied by email to CFUV 101.9FM said ``it is definitely great news. As we like to say, health is wealth. To me Eddy, once I’m assured of health coverage even if I don’t fall ill, I feel half my problems are solved’’.

The second respondent, Kenny, said ``I am longer paralyzed by fear. I’d like to thank the Health Minister Adrian Dix for his quick consideration always. Hopefully, I should get my permit before the next deadline’’.

The MSP and Health Insurance BC do not offer extended coverage to individuals without a valid immigration permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada hence many under the implied status were to have their coverage end initially by July 31.

This was later extended to Oct.31, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of most offices, those under implied status were unable to process their permits.

Now, it has been extended to April 2021 to enable the IRCC cover the backlog of applications of the thousands who find themselves classified under the status.