Ontario reverses “health care for all”
This week’s round-up of who is saying what about public health care includes news of Ontario ending its coverage for the uninsured, how changes to eye exams in Ontario will affect seniors and challenges to discrimination in health care.
Ontario cuts off health care for uninsured
“We are now talking about a health system in Ontario where unhoused, newly landed permanent residents, temporary workers and international students run the risk of major medical bills and debt. The mirage of universality is over.“
When you look at the elements here around health equity and health economics, this is terrifying on both fronts. We’ve known about these health-care gaps and who has borne worse health outcomes for many decades pre-pandemic … We have seen the most glaring lessons of the obstacles and barriers that are in place for far too many people. And now pulling the (program) back and imposing the (barriers) again is very cruel and unwise health policy,” said Dr. Andrew Boozary, a primary care physician and executive director of population health and social medicine at Toronto’s University Health Network, in The Toronto Star, March 26, 2023
Eye exam changes will hurt seniors
“Seniors are having a hard enough time right now without having to go longer between eye exams, which are critical to seniors’ health. Preventative eye care is important to catching issues early and could impact seniors’ ability to live independently. Only seniors who can afford to pay out-of-pocket will be able to get more frequent eye exams,” said Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, The Canadian Press, March 24, 2023
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Discrimination in health care – study
“I experienced indirect Islamophobia within the health-care system seven years ago when I gave birth. It’s not right Muslim women and girls are feeling fearful when seeking medical attention … there’s a problem at hand,” said Tabassum Wyne, executive director, Muslim Advisory Council of Canada, CBC News, March 28, 2023
Canadian health care failed to recognize Indigenous healing practices
“Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 22, states, ‘we call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients,’” said Dr. Darrel Manitowabi, Canadian Medical Association Journal, March 27, 2023
Municipality of Lethbridge teams up with Alberta Health Services
“We knew there were gaps, but we didn’t maybe understand how vulnerable we were. All of a sudden we realized, and people started to say that we were short physicians,” said Dr. Aaron Low, medical director for the Alberta Health Services South Zone, Globe and Mail, March 28, 2023
Privatization threat to Canadians’ health – letter writer
“Privatization threatens the public health-care system in Canada. By taking funding and staff away from public hospitals, it will make wait times for urgent hospital-based care longer. . . Health-care workers have criticized the push for privatization, and say that it will worsen the current staffing shortages. Surgeries cost more in private clinics than in public hospitals. . .Taxpayers pay more for the same procedure so that private clinics’ shareholders can profit. Private clinics violate the Canada Health Act, which protects the right of patients to access medically necessary services free of charge. . .The push for privatization is driven by powerful private-sector interests that lobby intensively for access to the $600-million market that these surgeries represent. . .” said Peter Schmolka in Vanier, Ontario on a letter to the Hill Times, March 28, 2023
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