Press Release |
For Immediate Release October 20, 2010
Minister Agrees to Review Healthcare Policy
(Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees once again confronted the Minister of Health with a glaring failure in the government's health care system.
Klees told the Legislature about an 87 year old Aurora resident who chose to convalesce at home rather than stay in hospital, knowing this would save the healthcare system thousands of dollars. But when the family applied for re-imbursement of $500 for the cost of renting equipment, such as a hospital bed and wheelchair, they were told by the Community Care Access Centre that equipment rental is only covered for the first 28 days.
"This is just one more example of how disconnected this government is with the practical, day to day lives of Ontarians," Klees told the Legislature. "On the one hand, the government professes its commitment to community-based healthcare supports, and on the other, it refuses to pay a $500 rental fee for equipment that makes it possible for a patient to be at home rather than take up a hospital bed at thousands of dollars a day.”
Klees pointed out that on the same day that he received the letter declining the $500 rental payment for his constituent, he received an announcement that the Local Health Integration Network had just hired two new senior staff.
"No money to pay an 87 year old patient's equipment rental, but thousands to hire more bureaucrats," said Klees. “The government just has to get its priorities right.”
The Minister agreed to review the ministry's policy, agreeing that it contradicts the government's commitment to encourage people to receive services at home where possible.