Beginning today, Ontario Optometrists will once again start giving eye-exams covered under OHIP to children and seniors, as a sign of good faith, as they re-enter formal negotiations with the Ministry of Health.
Optometrists entered the job action back on September 1st which saw them halt all services covered under OHIP. The optometrists say that the province has been underfunding the OHIP services, and they pay around 45 per cent of them out of pocket.
Health Minister Christine Elliott has said the government is committed to paying $39 million in retroactive costs and is ready to increase the reimbursement by 8.48 per cent, but optometrists say that neither of these are enough to cover the cost of the services.
