PROVINCE SLIPPING PRIVATE HEALTH CARE IN TO MUSKOKA ALGONQUIN AT EXPENSE OF MORE PUBLIC BEDS AT SMMH

Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com — OPINION

We need two fully functioning hospitals in the Muskoka Algonquin area.

The Province of Ontario does not agree and is pushing private health care.

The Doug Ford Conservatives are slipping more private health care in to Muskoka Algonquin by taking away hospital beds.

South Muskoka Memorial Hospital currently has 68 beds — and with the new model will have only 14.

The MAHC board has made a deal with a long-term care home to take in patients to recover at their premises.

Private health care is not cheaper.

Private companies charge more — or provide less care — in order to give a profit to their shareholders.

So what is the answer?

Each one of us holds part of the key to great public health care in Ontario.

That key is your vote. Your vote is your power.

We are a selfish greedy lot when it comes to paying taxes.

We vote for the person — no matter the party — who promises to give us things.

Like free licence stickers, like cheap beer, like less tax, etc.

We vote for them just as long as we think we will get to keep a few more pennies in our pocket. Not asking ourselves how this affects the services we need.

This is how we got this current mess.

The Ontario Health Premium must increase in order to provide funding for hospitals across Ontario. It has not increased in 18 years.

The current rate breaks down to .012% of $25,000, which is $300 for those of us with an annual Ontario taxable income of $25,000.

However .012% of $200,600 is $2,407.20.

Yet those with an Ontario taxable income of $200,600 — and all incomes above that amount — pay only $900 each year.

Why? You decide.

Email MPP Graydon Smith at: graydon.smith@pc.ola.org

Email Premium Doug Ford at: doug.fordco@pc.ola.org

Huntsville residents are sitting more comfortably with MAHC’s latest model, but miss the threat of more privatized care in Muskoka if it proceeds, writes Lois Cooper.

EMAIL: lois@muskokatoday.com

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