TORONTO – Ontario’s new health minister says the province will no longer offer free prescriptions to kids and young adults with private coverage.
In a news release issued Saturday, Christine Elliott says the move is intended to make the program more cost-effective.
WATCH: Christine Elliott named Ontario’s Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long Term Care
She says children and youth who are not covered by private benefits will continue to receive their eligible prescriptions for free.
The people covered by private plans will bill those plans first, according to the news release, and the government will cover the remaining eligible costs of prescriptions.
- ‘Destroyed in less than a year’: Granville St. SRO resident wants public to see conditions
- Lethbridge could lose 114-year-old integrated fire, emergency service
- Cochrane’s soaring population prompts concerns over firefighting resources
- Liberals want committees to be ‘open,’ minister says as Tories cry foul
The news release does not specify when the new system comes into effect.
Get daily National news
The announcement comes a day after Elliott was sworn in as minister of health and long-term care as part of the new Progressive Conservative cabinet.
OHIP+, enacted by the previous Liberal government, offered free prescription medication to Ontarians under the age of 25.
It covered the 4,400-plus drugs included in the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, which is used by seniors and those on social assistance.
A spokesperson for Elliott did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.