‘Violating our law and our health’, protesters concerned over healthcare

Citizens have expressed their anger at the provincial government’s underfunding and privatization of public healthcare.

More than 30 people protested outside the hotel earlier this week, saying there was “little notice and publicity” of the standing committee of Finance and Economic Affairs pre-budget consultations.

Bryan Smith, chair of Oxford Coalition for Social Justice, expressed concern over the “double billing”, or paying fees at private clinics for services, which the clinic turns around and bills to OHIP.

“So, they’re in the process of bankrupting the health budget, by overpaying private clinics, who are overbilling,” said Smith. 

He cites the Canada Health Act, which makes publicly funded health care insurance a right to Canadians.

“We have a province that’s now at this point violating our law and our health,” said Smith. 

The Ontario Health Coalition said that “healthcare in Ontario is in the worst crisis we have ever seen with services from primary care to home care in total disarray.” 

Peter Bergmanis, co-chair London Health Coalition, said emergency department closures are “downright dangerous”.

“It’s an outrage. It’s not Canadian. And we are definitely here to fight that!” expressed Bergmanis. 

“Healthcare budgets, since 2018, have gone up every single year. We’re now at $85 billion dollars annually in healthcare spending.”

That includes more than $90 million in additional funding in Perth-Wellington.

Rae said protesters can speak to the standing committee by registering online, as the group travels throughout Ontario in December and January.