The Ontario government is winding down a pandemic-era plan to pay hospital and physician costs for the uninsured, a move some critics charge will leave vulnerable residents without necessary medical care.
Doug Ford’s provincial government brought in the Physician and Hospital Services for Uninsured Persons program in March 2020. Under the plan, hospitals and doctors were allowed to bill the government for “medically necessary” treatments provided to patients without OHIP coverage.
There are still programs available in Ontario to help those not covered by OHIP. But for Boozary, they aren’t nearly comprehensive enough. “As was the case prior to the pandemic, from April 1, those who are not eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and do not have any other form of health insurance coverage are encouraged to speak to the treating hospital and/or physician to develop plans for future care.”
The New Democrats originally charged in a statement that eliminating the program would mean refugees from Ukraine would no longer have access to health care in Ontario. Hannah Jensen, Health Minister Sylvia Jones’s press secretary, insists that’s not the case.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ford government cutting back OHIP-covered eye services for some seniorsOHIP-covered eye services for many people aged 65 and up will be reduced as a result of a new deal between Premier Doug Ford’s government and the Ontario Association of Optometrists.
Read more »
Queen’s Park and OAO reach deal on OHIP payments for optometry work; eligibility to changeOfficials at Queen's Park say they have inked a four-year funding agreement with the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), which includes changes to eligib
Read more »
Ontario changes eye exam eligibility for seniors under OHIPOntario has reached a funding agreement with optometrists that increases some payments to them, but reduces some coverage for patients, including less frequent general eye exams for seniors.
Read more »
Ford government tables nearly balanced budget for 2023Opposition politicians slammed Ontario's newly tabled budget as insufficient; 'I've never seen a government so gleefully celebrating mediocrity'
Read more »
‘Prudent’ or ‘austere’? Ontario tables nearly balanced 2023 budgetOpposition politicians slammed the Ford government’s 2023 budget as insufficient
Read more »
Opinion | Doug Ford’s fiscal good fortune is bad luck for the rest of usThe government’s books are in better shape but at ground level, the economy will be in rougher shape going forward, Martin Regg Cohn writes.
Read more »