Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell says the Northern Health Travel Grant is broken and needs to be fixed.
She says the current system isn’t working for northerners.
“Problems with reaching someone to ask a simple question. A clerical error resulting in a bureaucratic run around. And trouble with keeping up with repeat visits.”
Monteith-Farrell says the program isn’t covering travel costs, the reimbursement rates offered are too low, and wait times to get money back are far too long.
The NDP member notes for many low-income families and seniors on a fixed income, it’s not just difficult but impossible to get the money back.
Her private members bill to form a Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee consisting of northern families and health care workers has passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature.
The committee would submit recommendations to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on how to fix what she calls a problematic problem.
My bill on improving the #NorthernHealthTravelGrant passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature.
Northerners need access to health care just like every other person in Ontario. Northern Ontario deserves better!#onpoli #NorthernOntario https://t.co/B9lMt5n0xx
— Judith Monteith-Farrell (@Judith_NDP) December 5, 2019
