QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West) is calling out the Ford government after Conservative MPPs voted against Bill 117, the ACCESS (Assistance for Care, Commuting and Essential Specialized Services) Act. This legislation would have helped ease the financial burden on families, seniors, and children who must travel outside their communities to access healthcare.
Many Ontarians must travel long distances and pay out of pocket for gas, transportation, and accommodations to access healthcare, adding financial stress when they’re already dealing with illness or caring for loved ones. By voting down the ACCESS Act, Ontario PC MPPs rejected a practical measure to make essential healthcare more accessible and affordable for those who must leave their communities to get care.
“Access to healthcare should not depend on your postal code or your income. No one should have to choose between paying their bills or getting to a medical appointment,” said Gretzky. “Ontarians are already exhausted, stressed, and worried about their health. The last thing they should be worrying about is whether they can afford the trip to get that care. The cost of travelling for required healthcare should never be a barrier to getting the care you need. No one should have to worry about how they’ll afford gas, accommodations, or other travel expenses when they’re already dealing with a health issue.”
Families travelling with children, seniors managing fixed incomes and patients who require specialized cancer or cardiac treatment are among those who can face substantial expenses when healthcare services are not available close to home. These costs are not optional for people who must travel to receive necessary treatment.
The Ontario NDP will continue to push for solutions that reduce the financial barriers Ontarians face when accessing essential medical services and ensure that families, seniors and children are not left to carry these costs alone.