Source: Sussex Strategy Group

Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: More Than 200 Seniors to Demonstrate at Queen's Park Against Planned Cuts to OHIP-Funded Physiotherapy

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 13, 2013) - More than 200 seniors from the GTA will converge on Queen's Park at noon today to protest against planned cuts that will drastically reduce the amount of OHIP-funded physiotherapy available to the province's most vulnerable seniors.

"These cuts will have a devastating effect on seniors," says Donna Greaves, the organizer of the demonstration and the President of the Resident's Council in a long-term care (LTC) Home in Toronto. "We've worked hard, and paid taxes all our adult lives. Now, when we most need the physiotherapy that keeps us active, independent and out of the hospital, Health Minister Deb Matthews has decided that we deserve less care, not more. Under her cuts, more seniors will be scrambling for fewer physiotherapy treatments."

In 2012, the expenditure on OHIP physiotherapy in long-term care homes, in-home and clinic treatments was more than $200-million. In April, the Health Minister announced that starting August 1, 2013, $136-million will be committed to physiotherapy spending and another $20-million on exercise classes.

Seniors in long-term care will have access to only half of the care they receive today, as the annual budget is slashed from $110-million to $58.5-million, effective August 1.

WHO:

More than 200 seniors from around the GTA

WHAT:

A demonstration against planned cuts to OHIP-funded physiotherapy

WHEN:

Thursday, June 13, 12 noon to 2:00 pm

WHERE:

Queen's Park

111 Wellesley Street West (south side facing College Street)

Toronto, Ontario

Contact Information:

CONTACT and SPOKESPERSON
Carole Dusome
(905) 484-3447