Peter Tabuns MPP, Toronto-Danforth

Government of Ontario

STILES CALLS FOR AG PROBE INTO HEFTY PATIENT FEES AT PRIVATE CLINICS

Published on April 8, 2024

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP MPP Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP are calling for an audit of private clinics charging patients to access primary care.

“Ford’s Conservatives opened the floodgates for private, fee-based health care in our province while millions are struggling without a family doctor’s office,” said Stiles. “Everyone in Ontario has the right to get health care with their OHIP card, not their credit card. Instead of holding bad actors accountable, Ford and Jones are encouraging private clinics to force Ontarians to pay for health care that should be free.

“The Canada Health Act is very clear: health care providers cannot engage in extra billing or charge for medically necessary services, but we are seeing evidence every day that patients need to pay to gain access to primary care services. This shouldn’t be happening.” said MPP Gélinas.

Gélinas will be moving to request a special audit into fees being charged to patients accessing primary care services in Ontario.

“Today, we’re giving the Ford government an opportunity to do the right thing,” Stiles added. “Let’s stop these bad actors and protect Ontarians’ access to publicly funded, publicly delivered health care.”