Ontario Clashes With Optometrists Over Exam Fees | The Canadian News

Eighty days and counting and the competition for looks between the Ford government and the province’s optometrists continues, with neither side willing to blink.

Optometrists began withholding services covered by the province’s health plan on September 1, after warning they would no longer offer them at a financial loss. Annual eye exams are covered by OHIP for residents under the age of 19, over the age of 65, and others with specific health conditions. But for decades, the province has only reimbursed optometrists for a portion of those fees.

After nearly three full months, there has been little progress in restarting the negotiations, which failed last summer when both sides accused the other of acting in bad faith.

Under daily pressure from opposition parties, Health Minister Christine Elliott has repeatedly asked optometrists to return to mediation. The optometrists have been clear that they will, if the province compensates them for their services.

Meanwhile, thousands of needy patients have been left in the middle, including Tracey McCannell.

“He was in a place where he could lose his sight,” said McCannell, who has been dealing with recurring bouts of shingles in his eye. “It feels like being pulled, like your eye being pulled,” he said, describing the pain, “it’s debilitating because you can’t function.”

She said her doctor has repeatedly been willing to treat her for free. But many other patients have not been so lucky.

Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Robin Martin told Global News that the government is unwilling to issue a blank check and urged the Optometrists Association of Ontario (OAO) to return to mediation. Despite the stalemate, Martin made no compromises to improve the relationship.

“They walked away from the table and haven’t been back since, despite the mediator’s continued invitations each week to come back,” Martin said.

The head of the OAO said that is not true. “There has been nothing formal,” said Dr. Sheldon Salaba, “so I think that has been another tactic of something they are saying in the media.”

Dr. Salaba said he sent his phone number to Minister Elliott last week, via a letter sent by the NDP opposition leader Andrea Horwath. He said he hasn’t called yet.

“Their compromising behavior around this has been lacking,” Dr. Salaba said, “so I think the onus is on them to get back to us and get us back to a true bargaining agreement.

Not all members of Ford’s government agree with his approach, including Thornhill PC MPP Gila Martow. A former optometrist in his private life, with many family members in the field, Martow said he disagrees with the tactics his group uses.

“I think it’s really up to the government to do one of two things,” Martow said, “either agree to set up a formal negotiation process and do it in writing, or offer optometrists, again in writing, a commitment to cover the costs of the provision. OHIP services “.

Robin Martin, who said his glasses were provided by Martow’s optometrist sister, responded to criticism from his caucus partner by noting that he is not running for the Progressive Conservatives in the upcoming election and that he is in a conflict of interest situation. .