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The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Saturday, April"9,1994 17 Health Minister Announces Tougher OHIP Regulations Health Minister Ruth Grier said March 31 she is tightening OHIP rules to save $48 million and getting tough with the federal government about refugee claimants' medical bills. Starting immediately, most people who arrive in Ontario, who do not plan to live here permanently, will not be covered by OHIP. The change, which will save the province about $30 million a year, was one of the measures announced last year in the government's expenditure control plan. Minister of Health Ruth Grier announced announced that she will allow people already here to have coverage until June 30, so they can make arrangements arrangements for private health insurance. Mrs. Grier said every change being being made to OHIP is designed to safeguard the high quality of the province's health services. "It is no vsecret that the province can't go on spending the way it used to," she said. "We must spend our money wisely, and we must spend it on the best possible health care for Ontarians." Ontarians." Mrs. Grier stressed, however, that no one will be denied urgent care by the province's hospitals. Approximately 66,000 people will be affected by the change, including 19.000 international students, and 22.000 foreign workers, as well as family members who are in Ontario with them. The Ministry of Health has sent notices to people registered as temporary temporary residents asking them to confirm their health coverage. The note encourages encourages people who are not eligible to get private health insurance. Also announced today is a new waiting period for OHIP coverage, expected to save about $18 million a year. Effective immediately, new residents residents will have to wait three months before coverage begins. Ontarians who spend more than 183 days outside outside Canada will also have a three- month wait before they are covered, unless they have prior approval from OHIP to stay away for longer. The waiting period is expected to prevent people from coming to Ontario Ontario just to receive medical care, then leaving. Some people, like retiring 1 Canadian Forces personnel, are exempt exempt from the waiting period. Babies bom to Ontario residents are covered immediately. British Columbia and New Brunswick Brunswick already have three-month waiting waiting periods for their health plans and several other provinces are considering considering the same thing. OHIP will continue to cover refugee refugee claimants for now. However, Mrs. Grier has sent a formal request to Sergio Marchi, Minister of Citizenship Citizenship and Immigration, asking the federal government to pay refiigee claimants' health care costs. Refiigee claimants are the responsibility of the federal government, which already pays their health costs in most other, provinces. "It's time for Ottawa to pay their fair share," said Mrs. Grier. "We have been getting "less and less help from the federal government, and we can't go on paying their bills for them." There are about 28,000 refugee claimants in Ontario and their medical medical bills cost the province some $32.5 million a year. •eeeeeeeaeee ONTARIO SENIOR GAMES -- Entry forms are available for those athletes who wish to compete in the Durham Ontario Senior Games, which are open to adults over the age of 55. There are 12 games and sports to choose from. The games run from April through to June. Entry forms can be picked up at seniors and community centres. For more information, contact Gord Dodds at 728-5322. HUNCO FARM SUPPLIES LIMITED R.R. #4, Cobourg We are an Independent Fertilizer Business AJV.W.WA . » i Custom Spre^üB..and...Delivei^ Bulk and HUNCO FARM SUPPLIES LIMITED R.R. #4, Cobourg, Ontario (905) 885-7203 -800-263-483^ PRESSURE TREATED LATTICE 1 x 8' Lattice $ 2.30 4x8' Lattice $ 7.99 FENCE PACKAGES "Do It Yourself" Priced on 8' section with one 4 x 4 post complete with nails and fence clips. Concrete not included. Econo pkgs. 16 bds per section Deluxe pkgs. 19 bds per section BUILD YOUR OWN PRESSURE TREATED DECK 8' x io' $ 225 to 1 x io' $ 280 $ 370 12' x 12' Trent ^ PRESSURE TREATED King lumber Stone Mix 30 kg. bag 1 " X 6" X 5' - $1.65 each 2x4x8' $3.55 each Cash and 1 " X 6" X 6' - $2.15 each 4x4x8' $7.20 each $ 4 X4X 10' $9.00 each Dek-Foot Precast Concrete Pad The fast easy way to construct a deck. $ 4 99 each Premium B.P. Water Softener 20 Yr. citadel Shingle *0!utie Salt $095 40 kg bag building centre Fertilizer Sale on now! HOME cards welcome J All items Cash and Carry - While quantities last. NEWCASTLE LUMBER LIMITED 361 King St. E. 987-4713 Newcastle MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. THURSDAY 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. FRIDAY 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. SATURDAY 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. SUNDAY 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. ©