Dear Editor:
I recently attended a meeting of the Ontario Health Coalition, via Zoom, and have subsequently devoted time to understanding the important work of this organization, on behalf of all Ontarians.
We have all heard of Premier Doug Ford’s three point plan to privatize Ontario’s public hospital services and that he will table his legislation when the legislature resumes on Feb. 21.
But does each of us, young and old, understand the implications of this dangerous legislation?
The premier lied to the Ontario electorate, pre-election, saying this government will not and would not expand private clinics and hospitals! And now, it is announced that this government will privatize our public hospitals’ surgeries and diagnostics. Premier Ford and his government have the arrogance but no public mandate to ignore The Canada Health Act, guaranteeing no charges for medically needed hospital and physician care. Health care is to be provided based on need, regardless of your geographical location or your ability to pay. That’s what public medicare achieved!
Rather than financially supporting our existing health care system this premier will divert taxpayer dollars to private for-profit clinics. That’s a take-away not an add on to our existing system!
Familiarize yourself with the extensive research done by the Ontario Health Coalition and gasp at the exorbitant costs you will pay for services if this government is allowed to gut our public hospital services; gasp at less regulatory oversight, and for sure, don’t forget, but be prepared, to gasp at death rates at private, for-profit clinics.
I am imploring MPPs, Ted Arnott (Wellington-Halton Hills) and Matthew Rae (Perth-Wellington), to step forward and host a public meeting to acquaint all taxpayers with the facts re: privatization of our public hospital services.
Let’s act now to stop this government’s brutal dismantling of public hospital services. We can do so much better in addressing our health system crises!
Marta Hoyles and Ken Feakins,
Mount Forest