Delisting chiropractic services hurts federal Liberals, poll finds Canadian Press

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Saturday, June 12, 2004 - Page A18

The Ontario government's delisting of provincial health coverage for three services will hurt the federal Liberals in the election, a poll released yesterday says.

Seventy per cent of respondents are against the government's move to delist chiropractic and physiotherapy services and most eye exams.

And almost half of those asked said it will make them less likely to vote Liberal on June 28.

The Pollara poll was released yesterday by the Ontario Chiropractic Association.

Association president Dean Wright says the survey also shows that 89 per cent of Ontarians think delisting chiropractic services means suffering people will turn to crowded emergency rooms or overburdened family doctors.

Ontario announced in the May budget that it was cancelling coverage for the services.

"This decision means reduced access to care, while wait time for physicians, specialists and tests increase. Patients' conditions will deteriorate. Their quality of life will suffer. Their productivity at work will diminish. This is just not necessary or appropriate," Dr. Wright said.

The Ontario government was spending $93-million a year on chiropractic care, he added. Under OHIP, a person was covered for a maximum of $150 a year for chiropractic services. The average visit costs $30 to $35, with only part of that eligible for coverage.

The Ontario Chiropractic Association represents more than 2,500 chiropractors in the province.

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