‘Health care should be about timely access and patient well-being,’ says letter writer
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I am writing as a concerned citizen of Ontario who is facing a health-care challenge.
The wait time for an OHIP-covered MRI in our province is now exceeding one year. For patients living with pain, uncertainty, and potentially serious conditions, this delay is not only stressful but can be harmful to their health and quality of life.
At the same time, private companies in Ontario advertise MRI services, yet these are only accessible through referrals from third-party organizations such as WSIB or employers. Ordinary citizens who are willing to pay out of pocket for timely diagnostic imaging are excluded. This creates a frustrating paradox: Patients are left waiting while capacity exists but remains restricted by legislation.
I respectfully urge our government to consider reforms that would allow Ontarians to access private-pay MRIs directly. Such a change would not only provide relief to those who can afford to pay but would also reduce the backlog for OHIP-covered MRIs, benefiting everyone in the system.
Health care should be about timely access and patient well-being. Allowing private-pay access to MRIs would be a practical step toward easing wait times and improving outcomes for thousands of Ontarians.
Premier Doug Ford needs to bring forward legislation that reflects the urgent needs of patients across our province.
Kathy Orr
Orillia