May 2nd, 2018

Horwath highlights NDP’s universal dental care plan on visit to Toronto’s east end

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath is sharing her vision for a healthier, more affordable province by highlighting her plan to provide dental care to every Ontarian.

And to make sure dentists and clinics are available where they’re needed, Horwath’s plan includes 70 new clinics and seven mobile dental buses – one of which, Horwath announced Wednesday, will be in the Beaches neighbourhood in Toronto’s east end.

On Wednesday at the East End Community Health Centre in Toronto, Horwath spoke with health care professionals and families about the struggle for families get the dental care they need. Joined by Rima Berns-McGown, the NDP candidate for Beaches—East York, the group discussed how the NDP’s Dental Care for Everyone plan, and added clinics, will deliver change for the better to the 4.5 million Ontarians that have no dental coverage.

“Imagine living with pain and not being able to afford dental care – think about the effect that can have on your work, your self-esteem and your overall health,” said Horwath. “Just think of how ensuring everyone can get the dental care they need will make Ontario an even better place to live and raise a family.”

Horwath’s Dental Care of Everyone plan includes:

  • Ensuring every worker has health benefits, starting with dental coverage for themselves and their family. That includes part-time and contract workers
  • Making the largest ever investment in public dental so that every senior and everyone on social assistance can get dental care with their health card
  • Expanding access to care by investing $25 million to build 70 new clinics and seven mobile dental buses across Ontario
  • “Every three minutes someone in Ontario visits an emergency room or doctor for dental pain,” said Horwath. “It doesn’t have to be this way. After decades of Liberals and Conservatives cutting health care programs deeper and deeper, it’s time for something completely different – a plan that puts people back at the heart of government decisions.”

“We need change for the better – with dental care that will deliver lower costs, less stress and better health for everyone.”

Andrea Horwath’s fully costed platform prioritizes better health care and more affordability for families, and also includes:

  • Universal pharmacare, a prescription drug plan that covers everyone
  • Ending hallway medicine and fixing seniors care
  • Cutting hydro bills by 30 per cent and putting Hydro One back in public hands
  • Taking on student debt by changing loans to grants, plus eliminating interest=
  • Protecting middle-class families by having the riches people and richest corporations pay a little more