SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT.—Health Minister Deb Matthews says there is a “disconnect” between what Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin — both OHIP card holders — are telling the Senate and the health ministry.The senators claims residency in P.E.I. and Saskatchewan respectively yet hold health cards in Ontario, which entitles them to full coverage.
“I acknowledge that there is a bit of disconnect between what they have claimed as their senate residence and what they have claimed as their health residence,” Matthews, who was attending a special cabinet meeting in northern Ontario, told the Toronto Star.
She said while the Senate is investigating possible conflict arising from their residency claims, “we have very clear guidelines on who is eligible for an OHIP card and who’s not.”
The minister would not say what, if any, action she planned to take in terms of Duffy and Wallin.
However, Matthews urged Ontario residents to call the OHIP snitch line if they think “there are individuals who are not straightforward with us on the OHIP front.”
“We are always looking to ensure the integrity of our OHIP system,” she said.
To be eligible for Ontario health coverage someone must:
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the newcomer to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act;
be physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period;
be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province; and
make your primary place of residence in Ontario.
OHIP coverage normally becomes effective three months after the date that residency is established in Ontario.
Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Richard J. Brennan
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