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Proclaims Two Parts of The Commitment To The Future Of Medicare Act
TORONTO, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is strengthening its
commitment to prohibit two-tier medicine with the proclamation today of Parts
II and IV of the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, 2004, Health and
Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.
"Our government is standing by the values of a publicly funded and
universal health care system which is essential for the health of Ontarians
now and in the future," Smitherman said. "This legislation demonstrates our
commitment to these values."
The act strengthens the prohibition of two-tier medicine by closing
various loopholes that may result in extra billing and user fees while also
enhancing the ability to monitor and enforce such prohibitions. Specifically,
parts II and IV of the act include:
- Fines for each offence of up to $25,000 to corporations and up to
$10,000 to individuals who bill an insured person for an insured
service
- A prohibition against charging or accepting payment in return for
giving an insured person preferential access to an insured service
(i.e. queue jumping)
- Mandatory reporting of queue jumping by specified providers and
employees.
Smitherman called on Ontarians to help support the province's public
health care system by reporting any violations to the act.
"Everyone can play a role in this by informing us of anyone who is
bringing two-tier medicine into this province," Smitherman said.
Smitherman also encouraged Ontarians to phone the ministry's Infoline at
1-866-410-5853 (TTY: 1-800-387-5559) if they have questions about whether a
health service is insured or if they have concerns that the provider is
charging them for an insured service.
This news release is available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca
Version française disponible
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For further information: Members of the media: Eva Lannon, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; Dan Strasbourg, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
Other news releases disseminated by this ministry
