NDP calls for OHIP waiting period exemption for Ukrainian refugees

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP leader Andrea Horwath and MPP Peggy Sattler (London West) called on the Ford government, in both a letter and question period Thursday, to waive the OHIP waiting period for Ukrainian refugees who have fled the illegal invasion. Sattler released the following statement:

“Londoners are eager to open their homes to Ukrainians who have been forced to flee the war, but they’re worried they might have to take on high health care costs for the families they are hosting. Many of the Ukrainians coming to Ontario have experienced physical and mental trauma and will need access to health care when they arrive.

Those seeking refuge in Canada deserve access to comprehensive health care when they arrive. I join with the London Ukrainian Congress in request that Doug Ford waive the waiting period for OHIP and make health care accessible to Ukrainian refugees as soon as they settle in Ontario.”

The federal government has not yet provided Ukrainian refugees health care coverage. British Columbia, Quebec and Newfoundland have all announced that they will waive health coverage waiting periods for Ukrainians entering the province under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. The standard OHIP waiting period is three months.

Attachments:

• Letter from Andrea Horwath
• Sattler question period video