Patients demand Ford government reimburse wrongful charges at Ford’s private clinics: more than 160 people join Day of Action at Ontario Legislature

October 29, 2025

Ontario Health Coalition

Patients who have been wrongfully charged for surgeries and diagnostic tests at private clinics were joined by more than 160 supporters at the Ontario Legislature today for a “Day of Action” to demand answers and action.

When he announced his government’s plans to vastly expand privatization of Ontario’s public hospitals’ surgeries and diagnostic tests, Premier Ford said that no patient would ever have to pay with their credit card, only their OHIP card. When asked if patients would have to pay anything if they had surgery at a private clinic, he swore it would be “100 per cent” covered. “We’re never gonna waver from that”.

Such extra-billing and user fees are banned under the Canada Health Act and Ontario’s Public Medicare protection laws, yet increasingly, the private clinics are charging patients with impunity, the Ontario Health Coalition reports.

In June, the Ontario Health Coalition sent a formal letter to the Minister of Health and to the Ministry with formal complaints from fifty patients who had been charged for care in private clinics. To date, not a single patient among those who made the complaints reports having been contacted to investigate their complaint.

Read more at the Ontario Health Coalition