[4] Founded in 1992 in Lakeland, Florida, the CSA was formed to oppose the reduction of payments by several Canadian provinces, for out-of-country emergency medical care, and a right enshrined in the portability section of the Canada Health Act (Sec.

In 1993, the government of New Brunswick proposed to reduce the amount of time that residents could spend outside of the province, while maintaining their provincial health coverage from six months to 90 days.

This increase was made in conjunction with another policy change which allowed beneficiaries of the Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB) to receive up to a 200-day supply of prescription medication for travel purposes.

[12] Also in 2013, the Canadian Snowbird Association worked in partnership with the government of British Columbia to increase the amount of time that permanent residents can be out-of-country from six to seven months, while still maintaining their provincial health coverage.

In May 2014, due to the efforts of the CSA, the New Brunswick government increased the amount of time that Medicare beneficiaries could temporarily remain outside of the province, from six to seven months, while retaining their eligibility for continued health coverage.

In conjunction with the increase in out-of-province health coverage, the Nova Scotia Family and Seniors' Pharmacare Programs was also amended to allow for a 270-day prescription medication supply maximum for vacation purposes.

In 2003, a proposed rule which sought to reduce the amount of time that Canadian tourists could spend physically present in the United States, from six months to 30 days, was rescinded after the CSA appeared before the U.S. House Small Business Committee on Capitol Hill.

[18] Florida Governor Jeb Bush mentioned the CSA in his press release, recognizing the efforts of the association in the successful withdrawal of the planned legislative changes.

[19] In 2013, the state of Florida passed legislation which required foreign drivers to obtain an International Driving Permit in order to operate a motor vehicle.

[20] In response to member feedback, in 2012 and 2013, the CSA lobbied the U.S. Congress to increase the amount of time that Canadian retirees could spend in the United States from six to eight months.

Available in both English and French (Nouvelles << CSA >>), CSANews is published quarterly and features timely articles related to the snowbird lifestyle as well as updates on recent advocacy initiatives and accomplishments of the association.

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