Sounds American

Days after Justin Trudeau told the United Nations that his government was working hard to improve the quality of life for indigenous peoples in Canada, it has emerged that his government spent more than C$110,000 in legal fees to avoid spending C$6,000 on orthodontics for a First Nations teenager suffering from chronic pain.

The figures, released through the Access to Information Act, were made public by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday. They relate to a continuing court battle that has pitted the federal government against Josey Willier, a teenager from Sucker Creek First Nation, who for two years complained of chronic headaches and jaw pain stemming from an impacted tooth and a severe overbite.

In 2014, two orthodontists warned that without braces, Willier would eventually need invasive jaw surgery. One noted that Willier’s condition would probably worsen and could leave her with difficulties in eating and speaking.

[...]

The family’s request [for help paying for the $6,000 procedure] was denied by the [government benefit program] Health Canada, who said her condition was not serious enough to warrant braces. Three appeals of the department’s decision proved unsuccessful.

[...]

The department said its plan covering First Nations children was more generous than the private plans held by most Canadians.

  Guardian

Not if they deny coverage.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.