The provincial leader of the New Democrats has some harsh words for the government over the cost of healthcare. Andrea Horwath spoke during Question Period at Queen’s Park yesterday, wanting to know why they are increasing the cost of drug plans for seniors. She says everything is more expensive in the north. People pay more for essentials like gas, milk, and eggs. And now, Horwath says seniors are going to have to stretch every dollar even further.
Horwath says hospitals are also feeling the cuts, citing the Timmins hospital as it had to cut $35 million over the last three years. She says the Premier either doesn’t understand, or doesn’t care, about northern Ontario. She says it’s not acceptable that hospitals are jam-packed and long wait times have become the new normal, and northerners deserve better.
Premier Kathleen Wynne says the increases to the seniors drug plans is going through public consultations, and they will look into the issue of doubling the cost of prescriptions. The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Eric Hoskins says they have announced a new surgery program at the Thunder Bay hospital. He says they are supporting a world class healthcare system at that facility. Hoskins says he is proud of the work they are doing in the north.