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•1 <-u <o www.durhamregion.com Optometrists fear delisting will add to eye problems (SÊB) /t" /f TAUNTON GATE MARKET 1 ' DURHAM-- She was afraid this was going to happen. When Patricia Campbell joined more than 500 On- - tario optometrists at- Queen's Park March 31 tp .protest the provincial government's Tumoured delisting of her services from 0HIP coverage, the Oshawa eye-care specialist was worried. worried. As the May 18 budget proved, Dr. Campbell' and her colleagues had good reason to be concerned. Called a 'less critical service 1 by the Liberals who rationalized delisting delisting optometry exams -- except for seniors and Ontarians under 20 - would improve cancer care and cardiac cardiac care, home care and long-term care. "We're all sort of scrambling," said Dr. Campbell following the May 18 budget. "We don't know much more than what's,been printed." Dr. Campbell says she realizes the '■ provincial government must grapple with a large deficit, but is concerned about a large number of people not getting primary eye care. "The largest demographic is that age group.(not covered)," she says of the 21 to 64-year-olds whose eye examinations examinations are no longer covered by ohip. f; v ; " Optometrists'bill the provincial " health insurance plan for performing eye examinations, although their fees have not increased since 1989. There are two codes when it comes to billing OHIP: one for full eye examinations examinations and one for partial exams. ç The fee for, a full examination is $39.15, a partial exam $19.25." When she did a cost analysis last year on what it costs to maintain her practice, Dr. Campbell - discovered she was making $3.01 per full eye exam. For most adults, eye exams are funded by OHIP, once every two years. The budget did state eye exams are still covered by OHIP if there is 'medical necessity.' L" "What does that mean?" asks Dr. I' Campbell. 1 "I checked with the Ontario Ontario (optometrists) association and they said they don't know, either. ■ ' fiAT'Avi;: Ay A ; Chiropractor laments OHIP no longer covers treatment They were on their way to a meeting with the minister of health, so we're still waiting on that definition." For now, Dr. Campbell says she is particularly concerned about the 60 to 65-year-olds who may already be retired. "There could be something severe," severe," she warns about people checking checking the health of their eyes. "Just because because it isn't covered, doesn't mean it's not important." "These services are not covered by the Canada Health Act, and although we regret that we have to do this we have to make some hard choices," said Finance Minister Greg Sorbara last Tuesday. Kids • Clarington Fire Safety House • Jumping Castle • Petting iZoo 2535 Taunton Rd. Hampton 1/2 km east of Hwy 57 905-263-2147 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MAY 26,2004 PAGE 7 Million Dollar W HJe-ln-One Contest June 2 nd - 6 th at the Clarington Driving Range ooper s Jewellers Ltd. (Bt. 1915) Mîlè flutQ Glci// ST. MARYS , Hutton Insurance pm Tom Derek Baird Bowmanville 1;'! to JJA DURHAM -- Kevin McAllister isn't as worried about himself as he is £ about his patients, many of whom will 2 nti longer be able to afford chiropractic 11 care.' 7. v - 1 5 Dr. McAllister, president of the 5 'Durham Region Chiropractic Society, 1' estimates that about half of his patients are not covered by any health insur- p ance other than OHIP. 1. "My practice is in downtown Os- " hawa," he explains. "There is a lot of poverty in this area. The only benefit (for these patients) is OHIP. " When asked if he was shocked by the province's decision to delist chiro- fUpractic treatment from OHIP in its I, iMay 18 budget, he said, "Regrettably, yes." I. "There was no discussion," said Dr. ^ McAllister of the Province's decision „ to ciit chiropractic billings through OHIP. Although amounts charged by individual chiropractors can differ, Dr. McAllister charges $27.65 per session. session. "OHIP pays for $9.65 of the cost ffiand the patient pays $18," he says., en Currently, OHIP covers a maxim of •I,, $150 a year for chiropractic services. 3i But , come this fall, all chiropractic L treatments will cease to be covered by . OHIP. À-' . , ,"There is à doctor shortage here," * Dr. McAllister continues, making the " .point that chiropractic care is one of 0 the largest primary contact health care ?; professions, providing preventative and early intervention care for back and neck pain. "The most important thing at this point is to encourage our MPPs to see clearly the results (of their govern- .ment's decision)," adds Dr. McAllister, . -acknowledging the fact that the government government is facing a deficit, he says chi- !,, (opractic fees represent only .4 per cent of Ontario's health care budget. .. "It's such a small percentage," he concludes. "(Delisting chiropractic care from OHIP) is hurting the poorest and the ones without any coverage, a large number of people, the poor and the sick." take the Kenmore Challenge... Purchase either of these Kenmore washers (#24852 or 42062), dryer (#82062), coil range (#55582), or top-mount fridge (#68102) and if within 30 days you find another brand washer, dryer, coil range or top-mount fridge with all the same features, advertised at the same or lower price, the Kenmore washer, dryer, coil range or fridge is ... 'Sears will refund the purchase price including taxes. Some restrictions apply. 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