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Province Passes Bill Allowing More Private Clinics to Offer Some Surgeries Covered by OHIP

Monday, 8 May 2023 13:53

By Linda Morgan

Bill 60 was passed at Queen's Park today

The province has greenlit a bill allowing private clinics to perform more surgeries that are covered by OHIP. 

Earlier today, the Ontario government passed Bill 60, also known as the "Your Health Care Act."

The bill allows for-profit and non-profit clinics to conduct cataract surgeries, MRI and CT scans, and minimally invasive gynecological surgeries. 

The province also plans to eventually expand the program to include knee and hip replacements. 

The legislation also stipulates that physicians at private clinics cannot turn a patient away if they choose to pay with their OHIP card. 

The news was met with backlash from the opposition, who expressed concern that this will lead to a two-tiered system. 

In a statement, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates blasted the decision. 

"Make no mistake - Bill 60 is the most dangerous piece of legislation I have seen in my four terms at Queen's Park. This Bill will worsen the staffing crisis in hospitals, opens the door for massive conflict of interest issues and corruption, and threatens our public system."

Several hospitals have also said that they're concerned about losing staff to private clinics. 

When the bill was first introduced in February, Health Minister Sylvia Jones argued it was needed to address Ontario's surgical backlog. 

"People should not have to wait for months for diagnosis, and if necessary, surgeries," Jones said at the time.

The backlog currently stands at over 200,000 procedures.
 

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