Members of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons rallied outside Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith’s office in Rossmore Monday afternoon, calling on the provincial government and Ontario Association of Optometrists to continue talks to reach a deal to keep eye care services for those with OHIP coverage.
Optometrists have voted to withdraw these services starting September 1 saying they’ve been severely underfunded for years. The government currently covers only about 55% of the cost of an OHIP-insured eye exam.
The association says about 70% of their entire patient load is OHIP eligible.
The withdrawal of service will affect those 19 and younger as well as adults age 65 and older.
Bev Buchanan, chair of the Greater Bay of Quinte Area chapter of CARP, says optometrists deserve to be paid for their work and urged the government to come around.
“You know, we’re dealing with this so that people below our age group will benefit as well as ourselves. It’s just such an integral part, you know, of health care, the eye checks.”
Buchanan says without OHIP coverage, many older people won’t be able to afford to get their eyes checked, noting it already happens with dental care.
“People that can’t afford to go to a dentist, they go into emergency department. They might get some pain relieving medication but it’s not dealing with the root cause of the issue. And that infection spreads throughout the body and causes all kinds of complications again, and it’s more costly.”
About two dozen people joined the demonstration.
The province and the optometrists association have met with a mediator but were unable to reach an agreement.
MPP Smith was not at the office, however, his assistant met with demonstrators outside, telling them that more meetings are planned though he could not comment on when those meetings will happen.
Greater Bay of Quinte CARP chair Bev Buchanan addresses demonstrators outside Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith’s office, August 16, 2021. (Photo: Quinte News/Alana Cameron)
