NDP’s Dan’s Law to eliminate waiting periods for home and community care passes second reading

Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky’s bill, Dan’s Law, to eliminate waiting periods for home and community care for people who have moved or returned to Ontario from out of province, passed second reading in the Ontario legislature today.

“Dan Duma returned home to Windsor to spend his final moments with his family, only to have the government deny him the care he needed in a home setting,” said Gretzky. “Families in this province should be given every opportunity to be reunited with their loved ones who are returning home to live out their last days.”

Named after Dan Duma, who was was unable to access palliative care at home before he died,Dan’s Law seeks to exempt people from any waiting period for home and community care if they re-patriate or move to Ontario from another Canadian province or territory, where they were covered by public health insurance. While reciprocal billing provides hospital and physician services to people taking up residence in Ontario from other provinces, a three month waiting period for services, like end-of-life care in a home or community setting, still applies. 

“No family should have to endure what the Dumas went through when trying to get their loved ones the care they need,” said Gretzky. “Dan’s Law will make Ontario a leader in providing end-of- life care to those who need it”.