WITH COST OF LIVING GOING UP, WE SHOULD RAISE ONTARIO HEALTH PREMIUM TO GET HEALTH CARE WE NEED

Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com OPINION

Wouldn’t you vote for a politician who says I will raise your taxes and you will get the health care you need and want?

Our municipal and district property taxes rise each year.

We don’t start shouting in the streets.

We know that if we want the roads plowed, kept in good condition, we want libraries, arenas, etc. we have to pay a little bit more each year.

Only the property owners pay that increase.

The Ontario Health Premium (OHP) is paid by income taxpayers — thus more of us pay to get health care for our babies, children and adults.

Everyone.

Seems fair.

The OHP has not increased since 2005.

It is paid by everyone with a taxable income of between $20,000 and $200,600.

That is $0 if your taxable income is $20,000 or less.

But it increases to $900 if your taxable income is more than $200,600.

We know that he cost of everything seems to be increasing every year.

Imagine how much our life costs have increased since 2005.

The responsible thing for the Ontario government (of any stripe) is to raise the Ontario Health Premium by at least the cost of living each year.

The solution is for the people of Ontario to rise up.

And say raise the Ontario Health Premium.

All of Ontario will get greater heal thcare and our healt-care workers will get paid properly to boot.

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