QUEEN’S PARK—Years of concerns being voiced over the inadequacies of the program that assists Northerners who need to travel outside their communities for medical health appointments have finally found some relief thanks to a recent announcement by the Government of Ontario regarding the provisions of the Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG). This will be especially true for Islanders, whose proximity to Sudbury under the old rules left them largely out in the cold when it came to being reimbursed for medically necessary travel.
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha welcomed the news that the government of Ontario has finally listened to hundreds of Northerners who’ve called for improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG).
“After years of advocacy and raising the issues of inadequate coverage by the NHTG, the government has recognized the importance of making sure that Northerners have equitable access to medical treatment,” said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP, Michael Mantha following the April 30 announcement. “Tuesday’s announcement covered some of the many problems that have been raised by constituents to my office including the overnight accommodation allowance and making it easier to apply and submit documents online.”
MPP Mantha had, in February, put forward a private member’s bill seeking the establishment of a committee to study the NHTG. That bill would have established a committee of Northern patients and healthcare professionals to make recommendations on delivering the grant to meet Northerners needs—but was rejected in the legislature by the governing Progressive Conservatives. Mr. Mantha noted the provincial announcement of improvements, while welcome, still fall short of what is needed.
“This announcement missed some aspects such as reimbursement rates for mileage, which remains below the recommended level set out by the Auditor General’s 2023 report. However, this is a victory for Northern Ontario and shows that when Northerners speak up together, we can get results.”
Among the announced changes is that the accommodation allowance for overnight trips is being increased from $100 to $175 per night, with the allowance for stays eight days or longer going from $550 to $1,150.
Of key importance to many of those living on Manitoulin Island is that the travel distance requirement to be eligible for accommodation allowance will be reduced from 200 kilometres to 100 kilometres.
The changes are a big deal, when it is considered that in 2022-2023, approximately 170,000 travel grants were processed for 66,000 Northern Ontario residents. The province claims that a total of 98 percent of eligible applications for the grant are paid within four to six weeks. But adds that the new online submission form is anticipated to further reduce that processing time.
The improvements come with a $45 million price tag over the next three years.
The Ontario Ministry of Health provides a telephone support service to help clients who need help completing their applications. The number to call for assistance is 1-800-262-6524.
