Premier Ford, Health Minister to discuss health-care privatization

Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones are scheduled to make an announcement to unveil a multi-stage plan for private clinics.

The Ontario Premier said last week that the province needs independent health facilities to address the growing surgical backlog.

The first stage of the plan is expected to focus on the expansion of cataract surgeries. The second phase will be on low complexity orthopedic surgeries like knee and hip replacements.

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Premier Ford says patients will not pay out of pocket for these procedures.

On the other hand, critics have been quick to say this is the first step towards privatized, pay-out-of-pocket healthcare like the United States.

The announcement will be made today at 10 a.m. in Toronto.

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