<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Please note this is Canadian content. Thanks Helen for the posting. Some critical information was missing from your post so I am replying to the whole list in my answer so everyone understands the actual scope of this funding. First of all, previous funding already existed, for those on welfare, which was only $40 a month and this is an increase targeted at this population to start. Also the funding is UP TO $250 a month, which is going to be income tested in order to receive, just like other funding that we receive in BC such as Medical Insurance premiums. In the original press release - the funding is for "Medical Food" as people diagnosed with PKU and Allied Disorders (metabolic) have a significant amount of food (mostly protein related) that they CANNOT consume, which is not possible to be manufactured, like happened over the last 20 years with GF food, as the PKU population demand is so very small. The amino acid free, highly restrictive diet does not even come close to the gluten free diet and what it takes to be one it - measuring how much food is consumed, knowing the ingredients, different types of food and how they affect the diet and then calculating how much of the medical food supplement they will need. Those diagnosed with PKU and Allied conditions must drink this medical supplement (medical food) which does not have phe in it, for the rest of their life, in order for their body to have the protein and energy that it needs and at the same time, hopefully preventing brain damage and death from their condition. While a Celiac can cheat and I know it is not medically suggested to do so, but it does happen, those with PKU are not able to consume proteins at all or they will have devastating consequences. It is similar to a diabetic consuming a lot of sugar without any insulin to assist their body. So unlike a Celiac, who through their Income Tax has the ability to claim the cost of GF foods, this funding, if they qualify, provides more of an immediate relief for those who have the PKU or similar metabolic disorders giving them the ability to pay for it instead of waiting until their Income Tax refund. One CAN eat GF just fine WITHOUT purchasing GF ingredients - there are plenty of natural food items available for us to eat that satisfy all the food groups that a body needs, however someone with PKU is not that lucky! Here was the original press release http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1270317/patients-celebrate-b-c-s-decision-to -fund-medical-foods-to-protect-against-brain-threatening-disease - "Canadian PKU and Allied Disorders (CanPKU) is delighted with the B.C. government's decision to provide funding for special low-protein medical foods for patients affected by Phenylketonuria (PKU) and similar inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). Medical foods play a critical role in preventing devastating neurocognitive, psychiatric and physical symptoms, and in some cases even death, caused by PKU and 24 other rare, inborn metabolic disorders. The foods are one of three medical components of CanPKU's Comprehensive Brain Protection Strategy for People with PKU submitted to the B.C. government in February 2013. In PKU, the body is unable to process an essential amino acid found in dietary protein, called phenylalanine (or "Phe"), and the resulting accumulation of Phe in the blood is toxic to the brain. If left untreated, symptoms can range from mild cognitive impairment to severe mental retardation. As such, patients must adhere every day of their lives to a complicated and highly-restrictive low-protein diet to stave off Phe's harmful impacts. Medical foods help PKU patients maintain their blood Phe levels at acceptable levels, protecting their brains." Lynda Vancouver, BC * Send administrative questions to mailto:[log in to unmask] * Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC