A recent article by Jonathan Sher in the London Free Press caught my attention. Many of us know that providing health care to Ontarians is a major provincial government expense. We might also be aware that its cost consumes over 40% of Ontario’s provincial program spending dollars. However, few of us have seen our actual OHIP bill.
Interestingly, the article points out that we can have access to our OHIP tab for up to the last seven years by requesting it by ‘snail mail’ from the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, Personal Health Information Office. The ministry further assists by providing a downloadable form on its website.
Personally, as the proud recipient of two rather recent fading surgical scars, I decided to inquire about the cost of my knee surgeries. I mailed my completed request to the ministry as indicated on the form. Now I await seeing my health care tab.
With health care being the Ontario government’s single biggest expense I checked out this interesting table Table 4.1 Per-Capita Provincial Government Health Spending, by Age Group, Ontario in the government's long-term report on the economy under halth care. As Ontarians age, a certainty, the health care spending debate will continue.
Knowing our own health care tab is an excellent and realistic starting point to enter the discussions ahead. It only takes a signed request, an envelope and stamp. Go for it!
Nancy Wales, CSJ