Whereas members of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) have voted to withdraw services they provide under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) starting September 1, 2021 unless the Province agrees to negotiate funding for Ontarians access to eyecare coverage;
Whereas currently, the Province covers approximately 55 per cent of the cost of eye exams insured by OHIP. The remainder of the cost is absorbed by optometrist clinics, which impacts overhead costs such as rent and salaries;
Whereas currently OHIP covers one eye exam a year for people under the age of 20, 65 and older along with those who have specific medial conditions which makes up approximately 70% of patients;
Whereas without the OHIP coverage seniors, children and vulnerable populations with specific medical conditions including glaucoma may not have access to these primary care services now offered under the OHIP plan;
Whereas Ontario has undervalued the eye health of Ontarians and cannot continue to neglect and jeopardize access to eye care;
Therefore Be It Resolved that Cambridge Council request the Provincial government to recognize the value of access for Ontarians to quality eye care and act now to protect it,
And THAT the Provincial government take action to ensure that the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) be granted a formal negotiation process with the Ontario government to fund these services at least to the cost of delivery, prior to any job action taking place;
AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Hon. Premier Ford, Ontario Minister of Health, Christine Elliot, Cambridge MPPs, MPs , the Ontario Association of Optometrists, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the municipalities of Waterloo Region, the Region of Waterloo.