theglobeandmail.com
Canada to Manage Vaccine Injury Compensation Program In-House Starting in 2024
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will assume responsibility for Canada's Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) from OXARO Inc. in March 2024, following criticism of OXARO's administration and a government audit.
- What prompted the Canadian government's decision to transition the VISP from OXARO to PHAC?
- Criticism of OXARO's administration of the VISP, including allegations of mismanagement from claimants and employees, as well as a PHAC audit, led the government to decide to transition the program's management to PHAC in 2024. This decision also aligns with other G7 countries' internal management of similar programs.
- What are the potential implications of this transition for claimants and the future administration of the VISP?
- The transition aims to improve the program's efficiency and address claimant concerns. PHAC's internal management should allow for greater oversight and potentially faster processing of claims. Further details on how PHAC will administer the program are expected to be released publicly.
- How has the VISP performed since its launch, and what specific issues have been raised regarding OXARO's management?
- Since its June 2021 launch, the VISP has received 3,317 claims, with 234 approved as of June 2023. Criticism focused on OXARO's alleged inability to effectively manage the program, leading to challenges for claimants. The government initiated an audit of OXARO's management practices in response to these concerns.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a relatively balanced account of the transition of the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) from OXARO to PHAC. While it highlights criticism of OXARO's administration, it also includes statements from the government explaining the reasons for the change and the steps being taken to ensure a smooth transition. The inclusion of statistics on claims and approvals provides context, but the focus on the government's perspective and planned improvements could be seen as framing the narrative slightly favorably towards the government's actions.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. Terms like "criticism," "allegations," and "challenges" are used accurately to describe negative feedback, but avoid overly charged or inflammatory language. The use of quotes from government officials provides a direct account of their position.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including more direct voices from claimants who experienced challenges with OXARO. While it mentions allegations from injured claimants and employees, it doesn't provide specific examples or quotes from those individuals. This omission could limit the reader's ability to fully grasp the extent of the issues with OXARO's administration. Additionally, details about the PHAC audit's findings are absent. Knowing the specific problems the audit identified would allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind the transition.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Canadian government is transitioning the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to improve its administration and ensure timely compensation for individuals severely injured by vaccines. This directly contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by enhancing access to fair and efficient compensation mechanisms for vaccine-related injuries, improving health outcomes, and promoting public trust in vaccination programs. The transition aims to address criticisms of the previous administration and improve the program's efficiency and effectiveness.