LENNOX: Ontarians should not be paying out-of-pocket for primary care

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Dr. Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre), Shadow Minister for Primary Care, stood up in the house today to urge the Premier and his Minister of Health to support nurse practitioners and expand access to primary care by the April 1st deadline:

“Ontario can expand access to primary care by allowing nurse practitioners to fully practice within our public system, yet this government has failed to act,” said Dr. Lennox.

“Nearly one in five Ontarians are paying out-of-pocket for primary care services, while 2 million people still lack access to a primary care provider. Less than half of Ontarians can secure a same-day appointment with their primary care provider, pushing more people into our already strained emergency departments.

“Nurse practitioners are ready to help, but they’ve been left waiting without a plan, funding, or direction. The government must act immediately to meet the April 1st deadline, bring nurse practitioners under OHIP so Ontarians don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for care.”