Brief for MOLITSD

Presumptive Coverage – Mental Health

• Paramedics and other PSP (Public Safety Personnel) experience MH challenges at 20-30% higher rates than the general population
• Presumptive legislation for PTSD has enabled PSP to get help sooner for PTSD
• Gaps for access to care for people with Depression and Anxiety still exists
• Gap impacts paramedics more than other PSP due to our reliance on Part time workers who have litt le to no access to employer benefit plans
• Earlier access to appropriate treatment will decrease loss time and overall disease burden

Presumptive Coverage – Occupation CA

• Research indicates that Paramedics are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with melanoma
• Paramedics are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer versus general public
• Paramedics are just as likely to suffer kidney cancer as firefighters however Paramedic kidney cancer is not consider occupational
• Presumptive coverage for occupational cancers should be added to WSIB for paramedics