As of September 1st 2021, OHIP patients across the province, including many senior and vulnerable community members have officially lost access to eye exams. Healthcare includes eye care and no one should face barriers accessing it. All Ontarians should be able to continue to receive the essential optometry services and vision care that they need.
Add your name below to demand that the Ontario government urgently works at the negotiating table to save eye care.
TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS the Ontario government has underfunded optometric eye care for 30 years; and
WHEREAS optometrists now subsidize the delivery of OHIP-covered eye care by $173 million a year; and
WHEREAS COVID-19 forced optometrists to close their doors, resulting in a 75%-plus drop in revenue; and
WHEREAS optometrists will see patient volumes reduced between 40% and 60%, resulting in more than two million comprehensive eye exams being wiped out over the next 12 months; and
WHEREAS communities across Ontario are in danger if they lose access to optometric care;
THEREFORE WE, the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to instruct the Ontario government to immediately work with the Ontario Association of Optometrists and ensure that Ontarians are can access necessary eye care services again.