The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on all political parties to make their positions on the privatization of healthcare services known prior to next week's election.
The coalition insists moving cataract eye surgeries to clinics outside the hospital has led to extra fees for patients throughout the province.
Bruce Awad from Windsor said he was charged for additional eye exams and paid $900 for upgraded lenses after being told the OHIP-covered lenses were inferior to other available options.
"This whole process does nothing but undermine the public health system and promote privatization of healthcare," said Awad.
The health coalition encourages Ontario residents to ask candidates about their stance on expanding healthcare services to private clinics before casting a ballot on February 27, 2025.
"I just feel that we are being pushed to use private healthcare at additional costs to us and in my lifetime in Ontario and Canada healthcare is universal and free or it should be," said Awad.