The Ford PCs are considering cutting OHIP’s emergency travel insurance coverage which will impact those Ontarians who travel outside of Canada. Currently the ‘Out-of-Country Traveler’s Program provides up to $400 a day for inpatient services like intensive care and up to $50 a day for emergency outpatient services and doctor services. MPP Robin Martin, the assistant to Health Minister Christine Elliot explains the reason it may be eliminated. According to Eglinton-Lawrence PC MPP Robin Martin who is also Parliamentary Assistant for Health, what they’ve found is that the current program is very inefficient and it’s got a high administrative cost. When the coverage is given – a max of $400 per day, it represents about five cents on the dollar for the person looking for coverage,” Martin also cautioned that this is only a proposal and they’re still talking with stakeholders about the idea of eliminating out of country health coverage. Public feedback is being accepted until Tuesday. The Auditor General has flagged the cost of administering the program a $2.8 million-per-year to process about $9 million in claim payments. OHIP data suggests of the 40,000 Ontarians who travel outside Canada every year and require health services, over 90% buy private travel health insurance. If the OHIP travel insurance cut is approved it will be effective as of October 1st. Fill-in host Jane Brown speaks with Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Deputy Premier, Christine Elliott as well as NDP MPP Marit Stiles.

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