“Anyone who cannot get private health insurance will be left in the dust,” the author of the letter warns, which will be billed twice.
OrilliaMatters welcomes the letter to the editor (dave@orilliamatters.com). The following letter is from Elizabeth Van Houtte, President of Simcoe North NDP, who is concerned about the privatization of healthcare.
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Apparently, Ontario is approaching a new period of this pandemic. Health Minister Christine Elliott announced on Tuesday that cases could be reduced, hospital capacity increased, and surgery schedules could be changed. But what was lost in the fanfare celebrating the reopening was a vague but transparent message that should worry us all.
Minister Elliott said: “… We have the ability to open up, which means that we have the ability to run all independent medical facilities, private hospitals …”.
The Ford government is planning to privatize COVID tests and vaccines and privatize long-term care for the next 30 years. They propose austerity after the June election and refuse to address the current serious shortages in staffing and care.
The most disturbing thing is the plan to introduce a two-tiered medical system. One for the rich and the other for the rest.
The Ontario Health Coalition points out the serious impact of private health care, including a 25% increase in costs from the start, taking into account the rate of return. Private hospitals choose who they want to serve and what they charge.
Those who cannot take out private health insurance will be left in the dust. In fact, you have already paid for medical expenses with your taxes, and now the Ford government wants hospitals and doctors to charge you a second time.
Access care for the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly, disabled and socio-economically low families, falls into the old category of charity care. In short, your taxes fund medical companies to provide the medical care we have to pay.
Many Ontario citizens can’t afford a place to live or put food on the table. How can I get medical insurance? By comparison, medical debt is the main cause of US bankruptcy.
Our healthcare system was developed by Tommy Douglas, the leader of NDP. He states: Ability to pay. ”
Decades of erosion and lack of funding have caused this world-class healthcare system to kneel, even before we were hit by a pandemic.
As you may have noticed, advertising for private health insurance has increased significantly since the inauguration of the Ford government. Insurance that says “… covers what your government’s medical care does not cover …”. You may also have noticed that your coverage from OHIP is not the same as it was a few years ago. You are paying more from your pocket. why?
I am familiar with tactics. Arriving with a fanfare that cuts funds and brings privatization solutions until public services become unsustainable. Profit is paid to shareholders rather than replenishing the service budget. You paid for medical services with your taxes, and then you will be billed again to receive the services, but your taxes will not go down. Does this sound reasonable? Is this efficiency? Who will benefit? This isn’t what I want in Ontario, right?
Our public health system must be protected, maintained and properly funded. It is our national treasure. We encourage you to ask our MPP, Jill Dunlop. Do you support Ontario’s private hospitals and clinics? Do you support pay-as-you-go healthcare like in the United States?
Do you support more private care facilities with 60% of COVID deaths? Do you support government funding to build private long-term care facilities and hand them over to businesses?
you?
Elizabeth van Haute
President of Simcoe North NDP
Orillia
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