We are Andrew and Nikka Worth and we are expecting our first child this June. We are very excited to start our little family but we are also very worried when it comes to the delivery. Nikka is not eligible to receive coverage under the Manitoban health care system because her legal status is as a visitor.

Manitoba does provide health coverage to people with a visitor legal status but only if their spouse is a work permit holder. Unfortunately, Nikka’s husband’s legal status is Canadian citizen. It seems strange and unfair that the spouse of a work permit holder is eligible for coverage but the spouse of a citizen is not but that is how the law is written.

Without coverage, the full financial burden of giving birth is placed on us. Canadian health care is not cheap and pregnancy especially comes with lots of fears and risks. During the time of delivery, we have enough to worry about without having to consider if the price of this or that procedure is worth the risk to the health of the baby or the mother. A gamble that no other Canadian family would have to make.

We are humbly asking for help from anyone who would be willing to donate. We prayed for our child and we are hoping to provide her with a good life but starting our little family with a dark cloud of hospital bills hanging over us is not a good start.

Thank you so much for your support. We appreciate each and everyone of you. God bless.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/pregnant-woman-denied-health-coverage-facing-20k-bill-to-have-baby-in-manitoba/