Weak oversight and year-long backlogs fueled by Ford privatized health care

QUEEN’S PARK – Following shocking revelations that came from the Auditor General’s report on inaccurate physician billings, NDP health critic MPP France Gélinas released the following statement:

“The Ford government has intentionally stifled modernization meant to support physicians and strengthen oversight” said Gélinas. “This government has chosen to neglect Ontario’s health-care system—failing both the physicians who provide care and the patients who rely on it.

“Under Ford’s watch, confusion about what’s insured and what’s not, has grown exponentially. While the Ministry still relies on tips and complaints instead of proactive audits, physicians who bill improperly their patients or the government do so with almost no oversight because the government refuses to build an effective enforcement system. The Auditor General found at least 59 doctors every year billing more than 24 hours in a single day, with some billing over 100 hours a day. More than 100 physicians billed for working every single day of the year, and some even billed for more days than there are in a year. The shocking part is that none of these instances triggered a review.

“These are not small cracks. They are gaping holes caused by this government’s refusal to staff and fund the audit and investigation units that protect patients and taxpayers from fraudulent billing schemes, that only work to erode trust in our public health system. The Auditor General flagged these issues back in 2016, yet years later; Doug Ford remains steadfast in his neglect. This isn’t a mistake; it’s a deliberate strategy to let the public system crumble so privatization can rush in to fill the gaps.”