Ford needs to stop dragging his heels on properly funding eye care

October 20, 2021

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding the ongoing optometrist situation:

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding the ongoing optometrist situation:

“Doug Ford needs to immediately commit to properly funding optometrists so kids and seniors can access the eye care they deserve.

It’s now been nearly two months of cancelled appointments because Ford can’t get his act together.

Two months where millions of kids and seniors as well as Ontarians with diabetes and glaucoma have been stranded without access to vital eye care services.

Access to eye care is more important now than ever. A new report shows that 1,500 Canadians lost vision due to pandemic-related delays in care.

Eye care is health care. And every day that Ford continues to delay funding puts people’s vision at risk.

Optometrists deserve to have their operating costs funded properly. It’s ridiculous that they are forced to lose over $30 for each OHIP eye exam.

It’s time for Doug Ford to stop dragging his heels and to cover the operating cost of OHIP eye exams.”

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